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HOPALONG CASSIDY 






“You’ll have to grow wings to catch me and Red Eagle,” cried Hopalong 

(Page 391) 


Hopalong Cassidy 


By CLARENCE E. MULFORD 


Author of “B«r 20,” “The Orphan/' etc. 



A. L. BURT COMPANY 

New York 

1 . 


Publishers 








CONTENTS 


IAPTER 


Page 

I. 

Antonio’s Scheme . 

. 11 

II. 

Mary Meeker Rides North 

. 22 

III. 

The Roundup 


IV. 

In West Arroyo . 

. 50 

y. 

Hopalong Asserts Himself 

. 59 

VI. 

Meeker is Told . . . . 

. 67 

VII. 

Hopalong Meets Meeker . 

. 75 

VIII. 

On the Edge of the Desert . 

. 83 

IX. 

On the Peak 

. 92 

X. 

Buck Visits Meeker 

. 100 

XI. 

Three Is a Crowd . 

. 107 

XII. 

Hobble Burns and Sleepers . 

. 119 

XIII. 

Hopalong Grows Suspicious . 

. 125 

XIV. 

The Compromise .... 

. 130 

XV. 

Antonio Meets Friends 

. 141 

XVI. 

The Feint 

. 148 

XVII. 

Pete is Tricked .... 

. 154 

XVIII. 

The Line House Re-Captured 

. 168 

XIX. 

Antonio Leaves the H2 

. 178 

XX. 

What the Dam Told . 

. 195 

XXI. 

Hopalong Rides South 

. 210 

XXII. 

Lucas Visits the Peak . 
vii 

. 223 


Contents 


Chapter Page 

XXIII. Hopalong and Red Go Scouting . 232 

XXIV. Red’s Discomfiture .... 24 t 0 

XXV. Antonio’s Revenge 256 

XXVI. Frisco Visits Eagle .... 268 

XXVII. Shaw Has Visitors 276 

XXVIII. Nevada Joins Shaw 282 

XXIX. Surrounded 287 

XXX. Up the Wall 303 

XXXI. Fortune Snickers at Doc . . . 315 

XXXII. Nature Takes a Hand .... 321 

XXXIII, Doc Trails 336 

XXXIV. Discoveries 343 

XXXV. Johnny Takes the Hut . . . 353 

XXXVI. The Last Night 360 

XXXVII. Their Last Fight 369 

XXXVIII. A Disagreeable Task . . . .374 

XXXIX. Thirst 380 

XL. Changes 384 

XLI. Hopa^ong’s Reward ... ,. 388 


vlii 


HOPALONG CASSIDY 


CHAPTER I 

antonio’s scheme 

T HE raw and mighty West, the greatest stage in 
all the history of the world for so many deeds of 
daring which verged on the insane, was seared 
and cross-barred with grave-lined trails and dotted with 
presumptuous, mushroom towns of brief stay, whose in- 
habitants flung their primal passions in the face of hu- 
manity and laughed in condescending contempt at what 
humanity had to say about it. In many localities the 
real bad-man, the man of the gun, whose claims to the 
appellation he was ready to prove against the rancorous 
doubting of all comers, made history in a terse and 
business-like way, and also made the first law for the 
localit3 T — that of the gun. 

There were good bad-men and bad bad-men, the 
killer by necessity and the wanton murderer; and the 
shifting of these to their proper strata evolved the foun- 
dation for the law of to-day. The good bad-men, those 
in whose souls lived the germs of law and order and 
justice, gradually became arrayed against the other 
class, and stood up manfullv for their principles, let the 

[ii] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

odds be what they might; and bitter, indeed, was the 
struggle, and great the price. 

From the gold camps of the Rockies to the shrieking 
towns of the coast, where wantonness stalked unchecked; 
from the vast stretches of the cattle ranges to the ever- 
advancing terminals of the persistent railroads, to the 
cow towns, boiling and seething in the loosed passions 
of men who brooked no restraint in their revels, no one 
section of country ever boasted of such numbers of 
genuine bad-men of both classes as the great, semi- 
arid Southwest. Here was one of the worst collections 
of raw humanity ever broadcast in one locality ; here the 
crack of the gun would have sickened except that moral- 
ists were few and the individual so calloused and so busy 
in protecting his own life and wiping out his own scores 
that he gav- no heed to the sum total of the killings; 
i ,vas a word and a shot, a shot and a laugh or a curse. 

In this red setting was stuck a town which we will call 
Eagle, the riffle which caught all the dregs of passing 
humanity, where men danced as souls were freed. Un- 
mapped, known only to those who had visited it, it 
reared its flimsy buildings in the face of God and rioted 
day and night with no thought of reckoning; mad, in- 
sane with hellishness unlimited. 

Late in the afternoon of a glorious day towards this 
town rode Antonio, “ broncho-buster ” for the H2, a 
Mexican of little courage, much avarice, and great ca- 
pacity for hatred. Crafty, filled with cunning of the 
coyote kind, shifty-eyed, gloomy, taciturn, and scowl- 
ing, he was well fitted for the part he had elected to 
[ 12 ] 


Antonio’s Scheme 

play in the range dispute between his ranch and the 
Bar-20. He was absolutely without mercy or con- 
science ; indeed, one might aptly say that his conscience, 
if he had ever known one, had been pulled out by the 
roots and its place filled with viciousness. Cold-blooded 
in his ferocity, easily angered and quick to commit mur- 
der if the risk were small, he embraced within his husk 
of soul the putrescence of all that was evil. 

In Eagle he had friends who were only a shade less 
evil than himself ; but they had what he lacked and be- 
cause of it were entitled to a forced respect of small 
weight — they had courage, that spontaneous, initia- 
tive, heedless courage which toned the atmosphere of the 
whole West to a magnificent crimson. Were it not for 
the reason that they had drifted to his social level they 
would have spurned his acquaintance and shot him for 
a buzzard; but, while they secretly held him in great 
contempt for his cowardice, they admired his criminal 
cunning, and profited by it. He was too wise to show 
himself in the true light to his foreman and the outfit, 
knowing full well that death would be the response, and 
so lived a lie until he met his friends of the town, when 
he threw off his cloak and became himself, and where he 
plotted against the man who treated him. fairly. 

Riding into the town, he stopped before a saloon and 
slouched in to the bar, where the proprietor was placing 
a new stock of liquors on the shelves. 

“ Where’s Benito, an’ th’ rest? ” he asked. 

“ Back there,” replied the other, nodding toward a 
rear room. 


[ 13 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

44 Who’s in there? ” 

44 Benito, Hall, Archer an’ Frisco.” 

44 Where’s Shaw ? ” 

44 Him an’ Clausen an’ Cavalry went out ’bout ten 
minutes ago.” 

44 I want to see ’em when they come in,” Antonio 
remarked, shambling towards the door, where he lis- 
tened, and then went in. 

In the small room four men were grouped around a 
table, drinking and talking, and at his entry they looked 
up and nodded. He nodded in reply and seated himself 
apart from them, where he soon became wrapped in 
thought. 

Benito arose and went to the door. “ Mescal , 
pronto^ he said to the man outside. 

44 D — d pronto , too,” growled Antonio. 44 A man 
would die of alkali in this place before he’s waited on.” 

The proprietor brought a bottle and filled the glasses, 
giving Antonio his drink first, and silently withdrew. 

The broncho-buster tossed off the fiery stuff and then 
turned his shifty eyes on the group. 44 Where’s 
Shaw? ” 

44 Don’t know — back soon,” replied Benito. 

44 Why didn’t he wait, when he knowed I was cornin’ 
in?” 

Hall leaned back from the table and replied, keenly 
watching the inquisitor, 44 Because he don’t give a 
d — n.” 

44 You — !” shouted the Mexican, half arising, but 
the others interfered and he sank back again, content 
[ 14 ] 


Antonio’s Scheme 

to let it pass. But not so Hall, whose Colt was half 
drawn. 

“ I’ll kill you some day, you whelp,” he gritted, but 
before anything could come of it Shaw and his com- 
panions entered the room and the trouble was quelled. 

Soon the group was deep in discussion over the mer- 
its of a scheme which Antonio unfolded to them, and the 
more it w r as weighed the better it appeared. Finally 
Shaw leaned back and filled his pipe. 44 You’ve got th’ 
brains of th’ devil, ’Tony.” 

44 Eet ees not’ing,” replied Antonio. 

44 Oh, drop that lingo an’ talk straight — you ain’t 
on th’ H2 now,” growled Hall. 

44 Benito, you know this country like a book,” Shaw 
continued. 44 Where’s a good place for us to work 
from, or ain’t there no choice? ” 

44 Thunder Mesa.” 

44 Well, what of it? ” 

44 On de edge of de desert, high, beeg. De walls are 
stone, an’ so ver’ smooth. Nobody can get up.” 

“ How can we get up then? ” 

44 There’s a trail at one end,” replied Antonio, cross- 
ing his legs and preparing to roll a cigarette. 44 It’s 
too steep for cayuses, an’ too narrow; but we can crawl 
up. An’ once up, all h — 1 can’t follow as long as our 
cartridges hold out.” 

“Water?” inquired Frisco. 

44 At th’ bottom of th’ trail, an’ th’ spring is on top,” 
Antonio replied. “ Not much, but enough.” 

44 Can you work yore end all right? ” asked Shaw. 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“Si” laughed the other. “I am 4 that fool, An- 
tonio,’ on th’ ranch. But they’re th’ fools. We can 
steal them blind an’ if they find it out — well,” here he 
shrugged his shoulders, 44 th’ Bar-20 can take th’ blame. 
I’ll fix that, all right. This trouble about th’ line is 
just what I’ve been waitin’ for, an’ I’ll help it along. 
If we can get ’em fightin’ we’ll run off with th’ bone we 
want. That’ll be easy.” 

44 But can you get ’em fightin’?” asked Cavalry, so 
called because he had spent several years in that branch 
of the Government service, and deserted because of the 
discipline. 

Antonio laughed and ordered more mescal and for 
some time took no part in the discussion which went on 
about him. He was dreaming of success and plenty and 
a ranch of his own which he would start in Old Mexico, 
in a place far removed from the border, and where no 
questions would be asked. He would be a rich man, ac- 
cording to the standards of that locality, and what he 
said would be law among the peons. He liked to day- 
dream, for everything came out just as he wished; there 
was no discordant note. He was so certain of success, 
so conceited as not to ask himself if any of the Bar-20 
or H2 outfits were not his equal or superior in intelli- 
gence. It was only a matter of time, he told himself, 
for he could easily get the two ranches embroiled in a 
range war, and once embroiled, his plan would succeed 
and he would be safe. 

44 What do you want for your share, ’Tony?” sud- 
denly asked Shaw. 

[ 16 ] 


Antonio's Scheme 


“ Half.” 

“What! Half? ” 

“ Si." 

“You’re loco!” cried the other. “Do you reckon 
we’re going to buck up agin th’ biggest an’ hardest 
fightin’ outfit in this country an’ take all sorts of chances 
for a measly half, to be divided up among seven of 
us ! ” He brought his fist down on the table with a 
resounding thump. “ You an’ yore game can go to 
h — 1 first ! ” he shouted. 

“ I like a hog, all right,” sneered Clausen, angrily. 

“ I thought it out an’ I got to look after th’ worst an’ 
most important part of it, an’ take three chanees to 
you fellers’ one,” replied Antonio, frowning. “ I said 
half, an’ it goes.” 

“ Run all th’ ends, an’ keep it all,” exclaimed Hall. 
“ An’, by God, we’ve got a hand in it, now. If you try 
to hog it we’ll drop a word where it’ll do th’ most good, 
an’ don’t you forget it, neither.” 

“ Anton ees right,” asserted Benito, excitedly. 
“ Eet ees one reesk for Anton.” 

“ Keep yore yaller mouth shut,” growled Cavalry. 
“ Who gave you any say in this ? ” 

“ Half,” said Antonio, shrugging his shoulders. 

“ Look here, you,” cried Shaw, who was, in reality, 
the leader of the crowd, inasmuch as he controlled all 
the others with the exception of Benito and Antonio, 
and these at times by the judicious use of flattery. 
“ We’ll admit that you’ve got a right to th’ biggest 
share, but not to no half. You have a chance to get 

2 [U] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

away, because you can watch ’em, but how about us, 
out there on th’ edge of h — 1? If they come for us 
we won’t know nothing about it till we’re surrounded. 
Now we want to play square with you, an’ we’ll give you 
twice as much as any one of th’ rest of us. That’ll 
make nine shares an’ give you two of ’em. What more 
do you want, when you’ve got to have us to run th’ 
game at all? ” 

Antonio laughed ironically. M Yes. I’m where I 
can watch, an’ get killed first. You can hold th’ mesa 
for a month. I ain’t as easy as I look. It’s my game, 
not youm ; an’ if you don’t like what I ask, stay out.” 

“We will!” cried Hall, arising, followed by the 
others. His hand rested on the butt of his revolver and 
trouble seemed imminent. Benito wavered and then slid 
nearer to Antonio. “ You can run yore game all by 
yore lonesome, as long as you can! ” Hall shouted. 
“ I know a feller what knows Cassidy, an’ I’ll spoil yore 
little play right now. You’ll look nice at th’ end of a 
rope, won’t you ? It’s this : share like Shaw said or get 
out of here, an’ look out for trouble aplenty to-morrow 
morning. I’ve put up with yore gall an’ swallered yore 
insultin’ actions just as long as I’m going to, an’ I’ve 
got a powerful notion to fix you right here and now ! ” 

“No fightin’, you fools! ” cried the proprietor, grab- 
bing his Colt and running to the door of the room. 
“It’s up to you fellers to stick together!” 

“ I’ll be d — d if I’ll stand — ” began Frisco. 

“ They want too much,” interrupted Antonio, an- 
grily, keeping close watch over Hall. 

■ [ 18 ] 


Antonio’s Scheme 

“We want a fair share, an’ that’s all ! 79 retorted 
Shaw. “ Sit down, all of you. We can wrastle this 
out without no gunplay.” 

“ You-all been yappin’ like a set of fools,” said the 
proprietor. “ I’ve heard every word you-all said. If 
you got a mite of sense you’ll be some tender how you 
shout about it. It’s shore risky enough without tellin’ 
everybody this side of sun-up.” 

“ I mean just what I said,” asserted Hall. “ It’s 
Shaw’s offer, or nothin’. We ain’t playing fool for no 
Greaser. Yes , that’s th’ word — Greaser! ” he repeated 
in answer to Antonio’s exclamation. “ If you don’t like 
it, lump it ! ” 

“ Here ! Here ! ” cried Shaw, pushing Hall into a 
seat. “ If you two have got anything to settle, wait till 
some other time.” 

“ That’s more like it,” growled the proprietor, shuf- 
fling back to the bar. 

“ Good Lord, ’Tony,” cried Shaw in a low voice. 
“That’s fair enough; we’ve got a right to something, 
ain’t we? Don’t let a good thing fall through just be- 
cause you want th’ whole earth. Better have a little 
than none.” 

“ Well, gimme a third, then.” 

“ I’ll give you a slug in th’ eye, you hog ! ” promised 
Hall, starting to rise again, but Shaw held him back. 
“ Sit down, you fool!” he ordered, angrily. Then he 
turned to the Mexican. “ Third don’t go ; take my offer 
or leave it.” 

“ Gimme a fourth ; that’s fair enough,” 

[ 19 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

Shaw thought for a moment and then looked up. 
66 Well, that’s more like it. What do you say, fellers? ” 

“ No ! ” cried Hall. “ Two-ninths, or nothin’ ! ” 

“ A fourth is two-eighths, only a little more,” Shaw 
replied. 

“ Well, all right,” muttered Hall, sullenly. 

“ That ees ver’ good,” laughed Benito, glad that 
things were clearing. All his sympathies were with his 
countryman, but he hesitated to take his part in the 
face of such odds. 

The others gave their consent to the division and 
Shaw smiled. “ Well, that’s more like it. Now we’ll 
go into this thing an’ sift it out. Keep mum about it 
— there’s twenty men in town that would want to join 
us if they knowed.” 

“ I’m goin’ to be boss ; what I say goes,” spoke up 
Antonio. 66 It’s my game an’ I’m takin’ th’ most risky 
end.” 

“ You ain’t got sand enough to be boss of anything,” 
sneered Hall. 66 Yore sand is chalk.” 

“ You’ll say too much someday,” retorted Antonio, 
glaring. 

“ Oh, not to you, I reckon,” rejoined Hall, easily. 

“ Shut up, both of you! ” snapped Shaw. “ You can 
be boss, ’Tony,” he said, winking at Hall. “You’ve 
got more brains for a thing like this than any of us. I 
lon’t see how you can figger it out like you do.” 

Antonio laughed in a self-satisfied way, for it was 
pleasant to hear such an admission from the lips of a 
Gringo, and he was ready to discuss things in a better 
[ 20 ] 


Antonio’s Scheme 

spirit. But he remembered one thing, and swore to take 
payment if the plan leaked out; the proprietor had con- 
fessed hearing every word, which was not at all to his j 
liking. If Quinn should tell, well, Quinn would die; he/ 
would see to that, he and Benito. 


[ 21 ]’ 


CHAPTER II 


MARY MEEKER RIDES NORTH 

M ARY MEEKER, daughter of the H2 owner 
and foreman, found pleasure in riding on lit- 
tle tours of investigation. She had given 
the southern portions her attention first and found, 
after the newness had worn off, that she did not care for 
the level, sandy stretches of half-desert land which lay 
so flat for miles. The prospect was always the same, 
always uninteresting and wearying and hot. Now she 
determined upon a step which she had wished to take for 
a long time, and her father’s request that she should not 
take it grew less and less of a deterrent factor. He had 
given so much thought and worry to that mysterious 
valley, dropped so many remarks about it, that she at 
last gave rein to her curiosity and made ready to see for 
herself. It was green and hilly, like the rugged Mon- 
tana she had quitted to come down to the desert, and it 
should be a small Montana to her. There were hills of 
respectable size, for these she saw daily from the ranch 
house door, and she loved hills; anything would be bet- 
ter than xthe limitless sand. 

She had known little of restraint; her corner of the 
world had been filled entirely by men and sh-7 had ab- 
[ 22 ] 


Mary Meeker Rides North 

sorbed much of their better traits. Self-reliant as a 
cowgirl should be, expert with either Colt or Winchester, 
and at home in the saddle, she feared nothing the desert 
might hold, except thirst. She was not only expert 
with weapons, but she did not fear to use them against 
men, as she had proved on one occasion in wild Montana. 
So she would ride to the hills which called her so insis- 
tently and examine the valley. 

One bright morning just before the roundup began 
she went to the corral and looked at her horse, a cross 
between Kentucky stock and cow-pony and having in a 
great degree the speed of the first and the hardiness of 
the last, and sighed to think that she could not ride it 
for days to come. Teuton was crippled and she must 
choose some other animal. She had overheard Doc Riley 
tell Ed Joyce that the piebald in the smaller corral was 
well broken, and this was the horse she would take. The 
truth of the matter was that the piebald was crafty and 
permitted the saddle to be fixed and himself ridden for 
varying periods of time before showing what he thought 
of such things. Doc, unprepared for the piebald’s sud- 
den change in demeanor, had taken a tumble, which made 
him anxious to have his wounded conceit soothed by see- 
ing Ed Joyce receive the same treatment. 

Mary found no trouble in mounting and riding the 
animal and she was glad that she had overheard Doc, 
for now she had two horses which were thoroughly relia- 
ble, although, of course, Teuton was the only really 
good horse on the range. She rode out of the corral 
and headed for the White Horse Hills, scarcely twelve 
[ 23 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

miles away. What if her father had warned her not 
to ride near the lawless punchers who rode the northern 
range? They were only men and she was sure that to 
a woman they would prove to be gentlemen. 

The southern boundary of the Bar-20 ran along the 
top of the hills and from them east to the river, and it 
was being patrolled by three Bar-20 punchers, Hop- 
along, Johnny, and Red, all on the lookout for straying 
cattle of both ranches. Neither Hopalong nor Red 
had ever seen Mary Meeker, but Johnny had upon the 
occasion of his scout over the H2 range, and he had 
felt eminently qualified to describe her. He had fin- 
ished his eulogistic monologue by asserting that as soon 
as his more unfortunate friends saw her they would lose 
sleep and sigh often, which prophecy was received in 
various ways and called forth widely differing comment. 
Red had snorted outright and Pete swore to learn that 
a woman was on the range; for Pete had been mar- 
ried, and his wife preferred another man. Hopalong, 
remembering a former experience of his own, smiled in 
knowing cynicism, when told that he again would fall 
under the feminine spell. 

Red was near the river and Johnny half-way to the 
hills when Hopalong began the ascent of Long Hill, 
wondering why it was that Meeker had made no attempt 
to cross the boundary in force and bring on a crisis; 
and from Meeker his mind turned to the daughter. 

44 So there’s a woman down here now,” he muttered, 
riding down into an arroyo and up the other bank. 
44 This country is gettin’ as bad as Kansas, d — d if it 
[2*1] 


Mary Meeker Rides North 

ain’t. First thing we know it’ll be nursin’ bottles an’ 
school houses, an’ h — 1 loose all th’ time instead of once 
in a while.” 

1 He heard hoofbeats and glanced up quickly, alert and 
ready for trouble, for who would be riding where he 
was but some H2 puncher? 

“What th’ — !” he exclaimed under his breath, for 
riding towards him at an angle was Mary Meeker; and 
Johnny was wrong in his description of her, but, he 
thought, the Kid had done as well as his limited vocabu- 
lary would allow. She was pretty, pretty as — she was 
more than pretty ! 

She had seen him at the same time and flashed a quick 
glance which embraced everything; and she was sur- 
prised, for he was not only passably good-looking, 
barring the red hair, but very different from the men 
her father had told her made up the outfit of the Bar-20. 
He removed his sombrero instantly and drew up to let 
her pass, a queer expression on his face. Yes, he 
thought, Johnny had wronged her, for no other woman 
could have such jet-black hair crowning such a face. 

“ By God ! ” he whispered, and went no farther, for 
that was the summing up of his whole opinion of her. 

“ He is a gentleman,” she thought triumphantly, for 
he had proved that she was right in her surmise regard- 
ing the men of the northern ranch. She spurred to 
pass him and then her piebald took part in the proceed- 
ings. The prick of the spur awakened in him a sudden 
desire to assert his rights, and he promptly pitched to 
make up for his hitherto gentle behavior. So taken up 
[25] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

with what the last minute had brought forth she was 
unprepared for the vicious bucking and when she opened 
her eyes her head was propped against Hopalong’s knee 
and her face dripping with the contents of his canteen. 

“ D — yore ugly skin ! ” he was saying to the pie- 
bald, which stood quietly a short distance away, evi- 
dently enjoying the result of his activity. “ Just you 
wait ! I’ll show you what’s due to come yore way purty 
soon ! ” He turned again to the woman and saw that 
her eyes were closed as before. “ By God, yore — yore 
beautiful!” he exclaimed triumphantly, for he had 
found the word at last. 

She moved slightly and color came into her cheeks 
with a sudden rush and he watched her anxiously. Soon 
she moved again and then, opening her eyes, struggled 
to gain her feet. He helped her up and held her until 
she drew away from him. 

“ What was it ? ” she asked. 

“ That ugly cayuse went an’ pitched when you wasn’t 
lookin’ for it,” he told her. “ Are you hurt much? 99 

“ No, just dizzy. I don’t want to make you no trou- 
ble,” she replied. 

“ You ain’t makin’ me any trouble, not a bit,” he as- 
sured her earnestly. “ But I’d like to make some trouble 
for that ornery cayuse of yourn. Let me tone him 
down some.” 

“No; it was my fault. I should ’a been looking — 
I never rode him before.” 

“ Well, you’ve got to take my cayuse to get home on,” 
he said. “ He’s bad, but he’s a regular angel when 

[ 26 ] 


Mary Meeker Rides North 

stacked up agin that bronc. I’ll ride the festive piebald* 
an’ we can trade when you get home.” Under his 
breath he said: 44 Oh, just wait till I get on you, you 
wall-eyed pinto! I’ll give you what you need, all 
right ! ” 

44 Thank you, but I can ride him now that I know 
just what he is,” she said, her eyes flashing with deter- 
mination. 44 I’ve never let a bronc get th’ best of me in 
th’ long run, an’ I ain’t goin’ to begin now. I came up 
here to look at th’ hills an’ th’ valley, an’ I’m not going 
back home till I’ve done it.” 

44 That’s th’ way to talk ! ” he cried in admiration. 
44 I’ll get him for you,” he finished, swinging into his 
saddle. He loosened the lariat at the saddle horn while 
he rode towards the animal, which showed sudden re- 
newed interest in the proceedings, but it tarried too 
long. Just as it wheeled and leaped forward the rope 
settled and the next thing it knew was that the sky 
had somehow slid under its stomach, for it had been 
thrown over backward and flat on its back. When it 
had struggled to its feet it found Hopalong astride it, 
spurring vigorously on the side farthest from Mary, 
and for five minutes the air was greatly disturbed. At 
the end of that time he dismounted and led a penitent 
pony to its mistress, who vaulted lightly into the saddle 
and waited for her companion to mount. When he 
had joined her they rode up the hill together side by 
side. 

Johnny, shortly after he had passed Hopalong on the 
line, wished to smoke and felt for his tobacco pouch, 
[ 27 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

which he found to be empty. He rode on for a short 
distance, angry with himself for his neglect, and then 
remembered that Hopalong had a plentiful supply. 
He could overtake the man on the hill much quicker 
than he could Red, who had said that he was going to 
ride south along the river to see if Jumping Bear Creek 
was dry. If it were, Meeker could 'be expected to be- 
come active in his aggression. Johnny wheeled and 
cantered back along the boundary trail, alertly watch- 
ing for trespassing cattle. 

It was not long before he came within sight of the 
thicket which stood a little east of the base of Long 
Hill, and he nearly fell from the saddle in astonishment, 
for his friend was on the ground, holding a woman’s 
head on his knee! Johnny didn’t care to intrude, and 
cautiously withdrew to the shelter of the small chapar- 
ral, where he waited impatiently. Wishing to stretch 
his legs, he dismounted and picketed his horse and 
walked around the thicket until satisfied that he was out 
of sight of his friend. 

Suddenly he fancied that he heard something sus- 
picious and he crept back around the thicket, keeping 
close to its base. When he turned the corner he saw 
the head of a man on the other side of the chaparral 
which lay a little southwest of his position. It was 
Antonio, and he was intently watching the two on the 
slope of the hill, and entirely unaware that he was be- 
ing watched in turn. 

Johnny carefully drew his Colt and covered the Mex- 
icans for he hated “ Greasers ” instinctively, but on 
[ 28 ] 


Mary Meeker Rides North 

Antonio he lavished a hatred far above the stock kind. 
He had seen the shift j-e^ed broncho-buster on more 
than one occasion and never without struggling with 
himself to keep from shooting. Now his finger pressed 
gently against the trigger of the weapon and he wished 
for a passable excuse to send the other into eternity ; 
but Antonio gave him no cause, only watching eagerly 
and intently, his face set in such an expression of malig- 
nancy as to cause Johnny’s finger to tremble. 

Johnny arose slightly until he could see Hopalong 
and his companion and he smothered an exclamation. 
46 Gosh A’mighty ! ” he whispered, again watching the 
Mexican. 44 That’s Meeker’s gal or I’m a liar ! Th’ 
son-of-a-gun, keeping quiet about it all this time. An’ 
no wonder th’ Greaser’s on th’ trail ! ” 

It w r as not long before Johnny looked again for 
Hopalong and saw him riding lip the hill with his com- 
panion. Then he crept forward, w r atching the Mexican 
closely, his Colt ready for instant use. Antonio slowly 
drew down until he was lost to sight of the Bar-20 
puncher, who ran swiftly forward and gained the side 
of the other thicket, where he again crept forward, and 
around the chaparral. When he next caught sight of 
the broncho-buster the latter was walking towards his 
horse and his back was turned to Johnny. 

44 Hey, you ! ” called the Bar-20 puncher, arising and 
starting after the other. 

Antonio wheeled, leaped to one side and half drew his 
revolver, but he was covered and he let the weapon slide 
back into the holster. 


[ 29 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ What was you doing ? ” 

Antonio’s reply was a scowl and his inquisitor con- 
tinued without waiting for words from the other. 

“ Never mind that, for I saw what you was doing,” 
Johnny said. 44 An’ I shore knew what you wanted to 
do, because I came near doing it to you. Now it ain’t 
a whole lot healthy for you to go snooping around this 
line like you was, for I’ll plug you on suspicion next 
time. Get on that cayuse of youm an’ hit th’ trail south 
— go on, make tracks ! ” 

The Mexican mounted and slowly wheeled. 44 You 
hab drop, now,” he said significantly. 44 Nex’ time, 
quien sabe? ” 

Johnny dropped his Colt into the holster and removed 
his hand from the butt. 44 You’re a liar! ” he shouted, 
savagely. 44 1 ain’t got th’ drop. It’s an even break, 
an’ what are you going to do about it? ” 

Antonio shrugged his shoulders and rode on without 
replying, quite content to let things stand as they were. 
He had learned something which he might be able to 
use to advantage later on and he had strained the situa- 
tion just a little more. 

44 Huh! Next time!” snorted Johnny in contempt 
as he turned to go back to his horse. 44 It’ll alius be 
4 nex’ time ’ with that Greaser, ’less he gets a good pot 
shot at me, which he won’t. He ain’t got sand enough 
to put up a square fight. Now for Red; he’ll shore be 
riding this way purty soon, an’ that’ll never do. 
Hoppy won’t want anybody foolin’ around th’ hills for 
a while, lucky devil.” 


[ 30 ] 


Mary Meeker Rides North 

I More than an hour had passed before he met Red and 
he forthwith told him that he had caught the Mexican 
scouting on foot along the line. 

“ I ain’t none surprised, Kid,” Red replied, frown- 
ing. 66 You’ve seen how th’ H£ cows are being driven 
, north agin us an’ that means we’ll be tolerable busy 
purty soon. Th’ Jumping Bear is dry as tinder, an’ 
it won’t be long before Meeker’ll be driving to get in 
th’ valley.” 

“Well, I’m some glad of that,” Johnny replied, 
frankly. “ It’s been peaceful too blamed long down 
here. Come on, we’ll ride east an’ see if we can find 
any cows to turn. Hey ! Look there ! ” he cried, spur- 
ring forward. 


s 




[si ] 


CHAPTER III 


THE ROUNDUP 


T HE Texan sky seemed a huge mirror upon 
which were reflected the white fleecy clouds 
sailing northward ; the warm spring air was 
full of that magnetism which calls forth from their 
earthy beds the gramma grass and the flowers ; the scant 
vegetation had taken on new dress and traces of green 
now showed against the more sombre-colored stems ; 
while in the distance, rippling in glistening patches 
where, disturbed by the wind, the river sparkled like a 
tinsel ribbon flung carelessly on the grays and greens 
of the plain. Birds winged their joyous way and filled 
the air with song; and far overhead a battalion of 
tardy geese flew, arrow-like, towards the cool lakes of the 
north, their faint honking pathetic and continuous. 
Skulking in the coulees or speeding across the sky- 
line of some distant rise occasionally sould be seen a 
coyote or gray wolf. The cattle, less gregarious than 
they had been in the colder months, made tentative 
sorties from the lessening herd, and began to stray off 
in search of the tender green grass which pushed up 
recklessly from the closely cropped, withered tufts. 


The Roundup 

Rattlesnakes slid out and uncoiled their sinuous lengths 
in the warm sunlight, and copperheads raised their 
burnished armor from their winter retreats. All nature 
had felt the magic touch of the warm winds, and life 
in its multitudinous forms was discernible on all sides. 
The gaunt tragedy of a hard winter for that southern 
range had added its chilling share to the horrors of the 
past and now the cattle took heart and lost their weak- 
ness in the sunlight, hungry but contented. 

The winter had indeed been hard, one to be re- 
membered for years to come, and many cattle had died 
because of it; many skeletons, stripped clean by coyotes 
and wolves, dotted the arroyos and coulees. The cold 
weather had broken suddenly, and several days of rain, 
followed by sleet, had drenched the cattle thoroughly. 
Then from out of the north came one of those unusual 
rages of nature, locally known as a “ Norther,” freez- 
ing pitilessly ; and the cattle, weakened by cold and 
starvation, had dumbly succumbed to this last blow. 
Their backs were covered with an icy shroud, and the 
deadly cold gripped their vitals with a power not to be 
resisted. A glittering sheet formed over the grasses 
as far as eye could see, and the cattle, unlike the horses, 
not knowing enough to stamp through it, nosed in vain 
at the sustenance beneath, until weakness compelled them 
to lie down in the driving snow, and once down, they 
never arose. The storm had raged for the greater 
part of a week, and then suddenly one morning the 
sun shown down on a velvety plain, blinding in its 
whiteness; and when spring had sent the snow mantle 
3 [ 83 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

roaring through the arroyos and water courses in * 
turmoil of yellow water and driftwood, and when the 
range riders rode forth to read the losses on the plain, 
the remaining cattle were staggering weakly in search 
of food. Skeletons in the coulees told the story of the 
hopeless fight, how the unfortunate cattle had drifted 
before the wind to what shelter they could find and 
how, huddled together for warmth, they had died one 
by one. The valley along Conroy Creek had provided 
a rough shelter with its scattered groves and these had 
stopped the cattle drift, so much dreaded by cowmen. 

It had grieved Buck Peters and his men to the heart 
to see so many cattle swept away in one storm, but 
they had done all that courage and brains could do 
to save them. So now, when the plain was green again 
and the warm air made riding a joy, they were to hold 
the calf roundup. When Buck left his blanket after 
the first night spent in the roundup camp and rode 
off to the horse herd, he smiled from suppressed ela- 
tion, and was glad that he was alive. 

Peaceful as the scene appeared there was trouble 
brewing, and it was in expectation of this that Buck 
had begun the roundup earlier than usual. The un- 
reasoning stubbornness of one man, and the cunning 
machinations of a natural rogue, threatened to bring 
about, from what should have been only a misunder- 
standing, as pretty a range war as the Southwest had 
seen. Those immediately involved were only a few when 
compared to the number which might eventually be 
brought into the strife, but if this had been pointed out 

[S4] 


The Roundup 

to Jim Meeker he would have replied that he “ didn’t 
give a d — n.” 

Jim Meeker was a Montana man who thought to 
carry out on the H2 range, of which he was foreman, 
the same system of things which had served where he 
had come from. This meant trouble right away, for 
the Bar-20, already short in range, would not stand 
idly by and see him encroach upon their land for grass 
and water, more especially when he broke a solemn com- 
pact as to range rights which had been made bj r the 
former owners of the H2 with the Bar-20. It meant 
not only the forcible use of Bar-20 range, but also a 
great hardship upon the herds for which Buck Peters 
was responsible. 

Meeker’s obstinacy was covertly prodded by Antonio 
for his own personal gains, but this the Bar-20 foreman 
did not know; if he had known it there would have 
been much trouble averted, and one more Mexican sent 
to the spirit world. 

Buck Peters was probably the only man of all of 
them who realized just what such a war would mean, 
to what an extent rustling would flourish while the 
cowmen fought. Plis best efforts had been used to avert 
trouble, so far successfully; but that he would continue 
to do so was doubtful. He had an outfit which, while 
meaning to obey him in all tilings and to turn from 
any overt act of war, was not of the kind to stand 
much forcing or personal abuse; their nervous systems 
were constructed on the hair-trigger plan, and their 
very loyalty might set the range ablaze with war. 
[35] 


Hopaiong Cassidy 

However, on this most perfect of mornings Meeker’s 
persistent aggression did not bother him, he was free 
from worry for the time. 

Just north of Big Coulee, in which was a goodly 
sized water hole, a group of blanket-swathed figures lay 
about a fire near the chuck wagon, while the sleepy cook 
prepared breakfast for his own outfit, and for the eight 
men which the foreman of the C80 and the Double Arrow 
had insisted upon Buck taking. The sun had not yet 
risen, but the morning glow showed gray over the plai% 
and it would not be long before the increasing day* 
light broke suddenly. The cook fires crackled and 
blazed steadily, the iron pots hissing under their danc- 
ing and noisy lids, while the coffee pots bubbled and 
sent up an aromatic steam, and the odor of freshly 
baked biscuits swept forth as the cook uncovered a pan. 
A pile of tin plates was stacked on the tail-board of the 
wagon while a large sheet-iron pail contained tin cups. 
The figures, feet to the fire, looked like huge, grotesque 
cocoons, for the men had rolled themselves in their 
blankets, their heads resting on their saddles, and in 
many cases folded sombreros next to the leather made 
softer pillows. 

Back of the chuck wagon the eastern sky grew 
rapidly brighter, and suddenly daylight in all its power 
dissipated the grayish light of the moment before. As 
the rim o^ the golden sun arose above the low sand hills 
to the east the foreman rode into camp. Some distance 
behind him Harry Jones and two other C80 men drove 
up the horse herd and enclosed it in a flimsy corral 
[36] 


The Roundup 

quickly extemporized from lariats; flimsy it was, but it 
sufficed for cow-ponies that had learned the lesson of 
the rope. 

64 All ready, Buck,” called Harry before his words 
were literally true. 

With assumed ferocity but real vociferation Buck 
uttered a shout and watched the effect. The cocoons 
became animated, stirred and rapidly unrolled, with the 
exception of one, and the sleepers leaped to their feet 
and folded the blankets. The exception stirred, sub- 
sided, stirred again and then was quiet. Buck and Red 
stepped forw r ard while the others looked on grinning 
to see the fun, grasped the free end of the blanket and 
suddenly straightened up, their hands going high above 
their heads. Johnny Nelson, squawking, rolled over 
and over and, with a yell of surprise, sat bolt upright 
and felt for his gun. 

44 Huh ! ” he snorted. 44 Reckon yo’re smart, don’t 
you ! ” 

44 Purty near a shore ’nuf pin-wheel, Kid,” laughed 
Red. 

44 Don’t you care, Johnny; you can finish it to- 
night,” consoled Frenchy McAllister, now one of Buck’s 
outfit. 

44 Breakfast, Kid, breakfast ! ” sang out Hopalong 
as he finished drying his face. 

The breakfast was speedily out of the way, and 
pipes were started for a short smoke as the punchers 
w r alked over to the horse herd to make their selections. 
By exercising patience, profanity, and perseverance they 

[ 37 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

roped their horses and began to saddle up. Ed Porter, 
of the C80, and Skinny Thompson, Bar-20, cast their 
ropes with a sweeping, preliminary whirl over their 
heads, but the others used only a quick flit and twist of 
the wrist. A few mildly exciting struggles for the 
mastery took place between riders and mounts, for some 
cow-ponies are not always ready to accept their proper 
place in the scheme of things. 

44 Slab-sided jumpin’ jack!” yelled Rich Finn, a 
Double Arrow puncher, as he fought his horse. 44 Alius 
raisin’ th’ devil afore I’m all awake! ” 

44 Lemme hold her head, Rich,” jeered Billy Williams. 

44 Her laigs, Billy, not her head,” corrected Lanky 
Smith, the Bar-20 rope expert, whose own horse had 
just become sensible. 

44 Don’t hurt him, bronc ; we need him,” cautioned 
Red. 

44 Come on, fellers ; gettin’ late,” called Buck. 

Away they went, tearing across the plain, Buck in the 
lead. After some time had passed the foreman raised 
his arm and Pete Wilson stopped and filled his pipe 
anew, the west-end man of the cordon. Again Buck’s 
arm went up and Skinny Thompson dropped out, and 
so on until the last man had been placed and the line 
completed. At a signal from Buck the whole line rode 
forward, gradually converging on a central point and 
driving the scattered cattle before it. 

Hopalong, on the east end of the line, sharing with 
Billy the posts of honor, was now kept busy dashing 
here and there, wheeling, stopping, and manoeuvring as 
[38] 


The Roundup 

certain strong-minded cattle, preferring the freedom of 
the range they had just quitted, tried to break through 
the cordon. All but branded steers and cows without 
calves had their labors in vain, although the escape of 
these often set examples for ambitious cows with calves. 
Here was where reckless and expert riding saved the' 
day, for the cow-ponies, trained in the art of punching 
cows, entered into the game with zest and executed 
quick turns which more than once threatened a catas- 
trophe to themselves and riders. Range cattle can run 
away from their domesticated kin, covering the ground 
with an awkward gait that is deceiving; but the ponies 
can run faster and turn as quickly. 

Hopalong, determined to turn back one stubborn 
mother cow, pushed her too hard, and she wheeled to 
attack him. Again the nimble pony had reason to 
move quickly and Hopalong swore as he felt the horns 
touch his leg. 

44 On th’ prod, hey! Well, stay on it!” he shouted, 
well knowing that she would. 44 Pig-headed old fool — 
all right , Johnny; I’m cornin’!” and he raced away to 
turn a handful of cows which were proving too much 
for his friend. “ Ki-yi-yeow-eow-eow-eow-eow! ” he 
yelled, imitating the coyote howl. 

The cook had moved his wagon as soon as breakfast 
was over and journeyed southeast with the cavvieyh; 
and as the cordon neared its objective the punchers 
could see his camp about half a mile from the level 
pasture where the herd would be held for the cutting- 
out and branding. Cookie regarded himself as the most 
[S9] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

important unit of the roundup and acted accordingly, 
and he was not far wrong. 

66 Hey, Hoppy!” called Johnny through the dust of 
the herd, “ there’s cookie. I was ’most scared he’d get 
lost.” 

“ Can’t you think of anythin’ else but grub ? ” asked 
Billy Jordan from the rear. 

“ Can 3^ou tell me anything better to think of? ” 

There were from three to four thousand cattle in the 
herd when it neared the stopping point, and dust arose 
in low-hanging clouds above it. Its pattern of differ- 
ing shades of brown, with yellow and black and white 
relieving it, constantly shifted like a kaleidoscope as 
the cattle changed positions; and the rattle of horns on 
horns and the muffled bellowing could be heard for many 
rods. 

Gradually the cordon surrounded the herd and, when 
the destination was reached, the punchers rode before 
the front ranks of cattle and stopped them. There was 
a sudden tremor, a compactness in the herd, and the 
cattle in the rear crowded forward against those before; 
another tremor, and the herd was quiet. Cow-punchers 
took their places around it, and kept the cattle from 
breaking out and back to the range, while every second 
man, told off by the foreman, raced at top speed towards 
the camp, there to eat a hasty dinner and get a fresh 
horse from his remuda , as his string of from five to 
seven horses was called. Then he galloped back to the 
herd and relieved his nearest neighbor. When all had 
reassembled at the herd the work of cutting-out began. 
[ 40 ] 


The Roundup 

Lanky Smith, Panhandle Lukins, and two more Bar- 
20 men rode some distance east of the herd, there to 
take care of the cow-and-calf cut as it grew by the 
cutting-out. Hopalong, Red, Johnny, and three others 
were assigned to the task of getting the mother cows 
and their calves out of the main herd and into the 
new one, while the other punchers held the herd 
and took care of the stray herd when they should be 
needed. Each of the cutters-out rode after some calf, 
and the victim, led by its mother, worked its way after 
her into the very heart of the mass ; and in getting the 
pair out again care must be taken not to unduly excite 
the other cattle. Wiry, happy, and conceited cow- 
ponies unerringly and patiently followed mother arid 
calf into the press, nipping the pursued when too slow 
and gradually forcing them to the outer edge of the 
herd; and when the mother tried to lead its offspring 
back into the herd to repeat the performance, she was in 
almost every case cleverly blocked and driven out on the 
plain where the other punchers took charge of her and 
added her to the cow-and-calf cut. 

Johnny jammed his sombrero on his head with reck- 
less strength and swore luridly as he wheeled to go 
back into the herd. 

“ What’s th’ matter, Kid? ” laughingly asked Skinny 
as he turned his charges over to another man. 

“None of yore d — d business!” blazed Johnny. 
Under his breath he made a resolve. “ If I get you 
two out here again I’ll keep you here if I have to shoot 


[«] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ Are they slippery, Johnny?” jibed Red, whose 
guess was correct. Johnny refused to heed such asinine 
remarks and stood on his dignity. 

As the cow-and-calf herd grew in size and the main 
herd dwindled, more punchers were shifted to hold it; 
and it was not long before the main herd was comprised 
entirely of cattle without calves, when it was driven off to 
freedom after being examined for other brands. As 
soon as the second herd became of any size it was not 
necessary to drive the cows and calves to it when they 
were driven out of the first herd, as they made straight 
for it. The main herd, driven away, broke up as it 
would, while the guarded cows stood idly beside their 
resting offspring awaiting further indignities. 

The drive had covered so much ground and taken so 
much time that approaching darkness warned Buck not 
to attempt the branding until the morrow, and he 
divided his force into three shifts. Two of these 
hastened to the camp, gulped down their supper, and 
rolling into their blankets, were soon sound asleep. The 
horse herd was driven off to where the grazing was 
better, and night soon fell over the plain. 

The cook’s fires gleamed through the darkness and 
piles of biscuits were heaped on the tail-board of the 
wagon, while pots of beef and coffee simmered over the 
fires, handy for the guards as they rode in during 
the night to awaken brother punchers, who would take 
their places while they slept. Soon the cocoons were 
quiet in the grotesque shadows caused by the fires and a 
deep silence reigned over the camp. Occasionally some 
[ 42 ] 


I 


The Roundup 

puncher would awaken long enough to look at the sky 
to see if the weather had changed, and satisfied, re- 
turn to sleep. 

Over the plain sleepy cowboys rode slowly around the 
herd, glad to be relieved by some other member of the 
outfit, who always sang as he approached the cattle to 
reassure them and save a possible stampede. For 
cattle, if suddenly disturbed at night by anything, even 
the waving of a slicker in the hands of some careless 
rider, or a wind-blown paper, will rise in a body — all 
up at once, frightened and nervous. The sky was clear 
and the stars bright and when the moon rose it flooded 
the plain with a silvery light and made fairy patterns 
in the shadows. 

Snatches of song floated down the gentle wind as 
the riders slowly circled the herd, for the human voice, 
no matter how discordant, was quieting. A low and 
plaintive 46 Don’t let this par-ting grieve y-o-u ” 
passed from hearing around the resting cows, soon to 
be followed by 44 When-n in thy dream-ing, nights like 
t-h-e-s-e shall come a-gain — ” as another watcher made 
the., circuit. The serene cows, trusting in the prowess 
and vigilance of these low-voiced centaurs to protect 
them from danger, dozed and chewed their cuds in 
peace and quiet, while the natural noises of the night 
relieved the silence in unobtruding harmony. 

Far out on the plain a solitary rider watched the 
herd from cover and swore because it was guarded so 
closely. He glanced aloft to see if there was any hope 
of a storm and finding that there was not, muttered 
f 43] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

savagely and rode away. It was Antonio, washing that 
he could start a stampede and so undo the w r ork of the 
day and inflict heavy losses on the Bar-20. He did 
not dare to start a grass fire for at the first flicker of a 
light he would be charged by one or more of the night 
riders and if caught, death w r ould be his reward. 

While the third shift rode and sang the eastern sky 
became a dome of light reflected from below and the 
sunrise, majestic in all its fiery splendor, heralded the 
birth of another perfect day. 

Through the early morning hours the branding con-, 
tinued, and the bleating of the cattle told of the hot 
stamping irons indelibly burning the sign of the Bar-20 
on the tender hides of calves. Mother cow 7 s fought and 
plunged and called in reply to the terrified bawling of 
their offspring, and sympathetically licked the burns 
when the frightened calves had been allowed to join 
them. Cowboys were deftly roping calves by their hind 
legs and dragging them to the fires of the branding 
men. Two men would hold a calf, one doubling the 
foreleg back on itself at the knee and the other, plant- 
ing one booted foot against the calf’s under hind leg 
close to its body, pulled back on the other leg while his 
companion, who held the foreleg, rested on the animal’s 
head. The third man, drawing the hot iron from the 
fire, raised and held it suspended for a second over the 
calf’s flank, and then there was an odor and a puff of 
smoke; and the calf was branded with a mark which 
neither water nor age w r ould wipe out. 

Pete Wilson came riding up dragging a calf at the 
[44] 


The Roundup 

end of his rope, and turned the captive over to Billy 
Williams and his two helpers, none of them paying any 
attention to the cow which followed a short distance be- 
hind him. Lanky seized the unfortunate calf and 
leaned over to secure the belly hold, w T hen someone 
shouted a warning and he dropped the struggling 
animal and leaped back and to one side as the mother 
charged past. Wheeling to return the attack, the cow 
suddenly flopped over and struck the earth with a thud 
as Buck’s rope went home. He dragged her aw^ay and 
then releasing her, chased her back into the herd. 

“ Hi! Get that little devil! ” shouted Billy to Hopa- 
long, pointing to the fleeing calf. 

44 Why didn’t you watch for her, you half-breed ! ” 
demanded the indignant Lanky of Pete. “ Do you 
think this is a ten-pin alley ! ” 

Hopalong came riding up with the calf, which swiftly 
became recorded property. 

“ Bar-20 ; tally one,” sang out the monotonous voice 
of the talty-man. “ Why didn’t you grab her when she 
went by, Lanky ? ” he asked, putting a new point on his 
pencil. 

“ Hope th’ next one heads yore way ! ” retorted 
Lanky, grinning. 

“ Won’t. I ain’t abusin’ th’ kids.” 

“ Bar-20 ; tally one,” droned a voice at the next fire. 

All was noise, laughter, dust, and a seeming confusion, 
but every man knew his work thoroughly and was doing 
it in a methodical way, and the confusion was confined 
to the victims and their mothers. 

[45] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

When the herd had been branded and allowed to re- 
turn to the plain, the outfit moved on into a new terri- 
tory and the work was repeated until the whole range, 
with the exception of the valley, had been covered. 
When the valley was worked it required more time in 
comparison with the amount of ground covered than 
had been heretofore spent on any part of the range; 
for the cattle were far more numerous, and it was no 
unusual thing to have a herd of great size before the 
roundup place had been reached. This heavy increase 
in the numbers of the cattle to be herded made a cor- 
responding increase in the time and labor required for 
the cutting-out and branding. Five days were required 
in working the eastern and central parts of the valley 
and it took three more days to clean up around the 
White Horse Hills, where the ground was rougher and 
the riding harder. And at every cutting-out there was 
a large stray-herd made up of H£ and Three Triangle 
cattle. The H2 had been formerly the Three Triangle. 
Buck had been earnest in his instructions to his men re- 
garding the strays, for now was the opportunity to rid 
his range of Meeker’s cattle in a way natural and with- 
out especial significance; once over the line it would be 
a comparatively easy matter to keep them there. 

For taking care of this extra herd and also because 
Buck courted scrutiny during the branding, the foreman 
accepted the services of three H2 men. This addition 
to his forces made the work move somewhat more rapidly 
and when, at the end of each day’s cutting-out, the 
[ 46 ] 


The Roundup 

| stray herd was complete, it was driven south across the 
boundary line by Meeker’s men. When the last stray- 
herd started south Buck rode over to the H2 punchers 
and told them to tell their foreman to let him know when 
he could assist in the southern roundup and thus return 
the favor. 

As the Bar-20 outfit and the C80 and Double Arrow 
men rode north towards the ranch house they were met 
by Lucas, foreman of the C80, who joined them near 
Medicine Bend. 

“ Well, got it all over, hey? ” he cried as he rode up. 

“Yep; bigger job than I thought, too. It gets 
bigger every year an’ that blizzard didn’t make much 
difference in th’ work, neither,” Buck replied. “ I’ll 
help you out when you get ready to drive.” 

“No you won’t; you can help me an’ Bartlett more 
by keeping all yore men watchin’ that line,” quickly 
responded Lucas. “ We’ll work together, me an’ 
Bartlett, an’ we’ll have all th’ men we want. You 
just show that man Meeker that range grabbin’ ain’t 
healthy down here — that’s all we want. Did he send 
you any help in th’ valley ? ” 

“ Yes, three men,” Buck replied. “ But we’ll break 
even on that when he works along th’ boundary.” 

“ Have any trouble w r ith ’em ? ” 

“ Not a bit.” 

“ I sent Wood Wright down to Eagle th’ other day, 
an’ he says th’ town is shore there’ll be a big range war,” 
remarked Lucas, “ He said there’s lots of excitement 
[47] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

down there an’ they act like they wish th’ trouble would 
hurry up an’ happen. We’ve got to watch that town, 
all right.” 

44 If there’s a war th’ rustlers’ll flock here from all 
over,” interposed Rich Finn. 

44 Huh ! ” snorted Hopalong. 64 They’ll flock out 
again if we get a chance to look for ’em. An’ that 
town’ll shore get into trouble if it don’t live plumb easy. 
You know what happened th’ last time rustlin’ got to 
be th’ style, don’t you?” 

44 Well,” replied Lucas, 44 I’ve fixed it with Cowan to 
get news to me an’ Bartlett if anything sudden comes 
up. If you need us just let him know an’ we’ll be with 
you in two shakes.” 

44 That’s good, but I don’t reckon I’ll need any help, 
leastwise not for a long time,” Buck responded. 44 But 
I tell you what you might do, when you can ; make up 
a vigilance committee from yore outfits an’ ride range 
for rustlers. We can take care of all that comes on us, 
but we won’t have no time to bother about th’ rest of 
th’ range. An’ if you do that it’ll shut ’em out of our 
north range.” 

44 We’ll do it,” Lucas promised. 44 Bartlett is going 
to watch th’ trails north to see if he can catch anybody 
runnin’ cattle to th’ railroad construction camps. 
Every suspicious lookin’ stranger is going to be held 
up an’ asked questions ; an’ if we find any runnin’ irons, 
you know what that means.” 

44 1 reckon we can handle th’ situation, all right, no 
matter how hard it gets,” laughed the Bar-20 foreman. 
[48] 


The Roundup 

“ Well, I’ll be leavin’ you now,” Lucas remarked as 
they reached the Bar-20 bunk house. “ We begin to 
round up next week, an’ there’s lots to be done before 
then. Say, can I use yore chuck wagon? Mine is 
shore done for.” 

“ Why, of course,” replied Buck heartily. c< Take it 
now, if you want, or any time you send for it.” 

“ Much obliged; come on, fellers,” Lucas cried to his 
men. “ We’re goin’ home.” 


[ 49 ] 


CHAPTER IV 


IN WEST ARROYO 

H OP ALONG was heading for Lookout Peak, 
the highest of the White Horse Hills, by 
way of West Arroyo, which he entered half 
an hour after he had forded the creek, and was half way 
to the line when, rounding a sharp turn, he saw Mary 
Meeker ahead of him. She was off her horse picking 
'dowers when she heard him and she stood erect, smiling. 

44 Why, I didn’t think I’d see you,” she said. 44 I’ve 
been picking flowers — see them? Ain’t they pretty? ” 
she asked, holding them out for his inspection. 

“ They shore are,” he replied, not looking at the 
dowers at all, but into her big, brown eyes. 44 An’ 
they’re some lucky, too,” he asserted, grinning. 

She lowered her head, burying her face in the blos- 
soms and then picked a few petals and let them fall 
one by one from her fingers. 44 You didn’t look at them 
at all,” she chided. 

44 Oh, yes, I did,” he laughed. 44 But I see flowers all 
th’ time, and not much of you.” 

44 That’s nice — they . are so pretty. I just love 
them.” 


[ 50 ] 


In West Arroyo 

u Yes. I reckon they are,” doubtfully. 

She looked up at him, her eyes laughing and her 
white teeth glistening between their red frames. 44 Why* 
don’t you scold me? ” she asked. 

44 Scold you! What for? ” 

44 Why, for being on yore ranch, for being across th’ 
line an’ in th’ valley.” 

44 Good Lord ! Why, there ain’t no lines for you ! 
You can go anywhere.” 

44 In th’ valley? ” she asked, again hiding her face in 
the flowers, 

44 Wh}', of course. What ever made you think you 
can’t?” 

44 I’m one of th’ H 2,” she responded. 44 Paw says I 
run it. But I’m awful glad you won’t care.” 

44 We21, as far as riding where you please is concerned, 
you run this ranch, too.” 

44 There’s a pretty flower,” she said, looking at the 
top of the bank. 44 That purple one ; see it ? ” she 
asked, pointing. 

44 Yes. I’ll get it for you,” he replied, leaping from 
the saddle and half way up the bank before she knew it. 
He slid down again and handed the blossom to her. 
44 There.” 

44 Thank you.” 

44 See any more you wants ? ” 

44 No; this is enough. Thank you for getting it for 
me.” 

44 Oh, shucks ; that was nothing,” he laughed, 
awkwardly. 44 That was shore easy.” 

[51] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

44 I’m going to give it to you for not scolding me 
about being over th’ line,” she said, holding it out to 
him. 

44 No; not for that,” he said slowly. 44 Can’t you 
think of some other reason ? ” 

44 Don’t you want it?” 

44 Want it ! ” he exclaimed, eagerly. 44 Shore I want 
it. But not for what you said.” 

44 Will you wear it because we’re friends ? ” 

44 Now yo’re talking ! ” 

She looked up and laughed, her cheeks dimpling, and 
then pinned it to his shirt, while he held his breath lest 
the inflation of his lungs bother her. It was nice to 
have a flower pinned on one’s shirt by a pretty girl. 

44 There,” she laughed, stepping back to look at it. 

44 Gosh!” he complained, ruefully. 44 You’ve pinned 
it up so high I can’t see it. Why not put it lower 
down ? ” 

She changed it while he grinned at how his scheming 
had born fruit. He was a hog, he knew that, but 
he did not care. 

44 Oh, I reckon Vm all right ! ” he exulted. 44 Shore 
you don’t see no more you want? ” 

44 Yes; an’ I must go now,” she replied, going towards 
her horse. 44 I’ll be late with th’ dinner if I don’t 
hurry.” 

44 What! Do you cook for that hungry outfit? ” 

44 No, not for them — just for Paw an’ me.” 

44 When are you cornin’ up again for more flowers?” 

44 1 don’t know. You see, I’m going to make cookies 

[ 52 ] 


In West Arroyo 

some day this week, but I don’t know just when. Do 
you like cookies, an’ cake?” 

“ You bet I do! Why?” 

44 I’ll bring some with me th’ next time. Paw says 
they’re th’ best he ever ate.” 

46 Bet I’ll say so, too,” he replied, stepping forward 
to help her into the saddle, but she sprang into it be- 
fore he reached her side, and he vaulted on his own 
horse and joined her. 

She suddenly turned and looked him straight in the 
eyes. 44 Tell me, honest, has yore ranch any right to 
keep our cows south of that line?” 

44 Yes, we have. Our boundaries are fixed. We 
gave th’ Three Triangle about eighty square miles of 
range so our valley would be free from all cows but 
our own. That’s all th’ land between th’ line an’ th’ 
Jumping Bear, an’ it was a big price, too. They never 
drove a cow over on us.” 

She looked disappointed and toyed with her quirt. 

44 Why don’t you want to let Paw use th’ valley ? ” 

44 It ain’t big enough for our own cows, an’ we can’t 
share it. As it is, we’ll have to drive ten thousand on 
leased range next year to give our grass a rest.” 

44 Well, — ” she stopped and he waited to hear what 
she would say, and then asked her when she would be 
up again. 

44 1 don’t know ! I don’t know ! ” she cried. 

44 Why, what’s the matter? ” 

44 Nothing. I’m foolish — that’s all,” she replied, 
smiling, and trying to forget the picture which arose in 
[ 53 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

her mind, a picture of desperate fighting along the line ; 
of her father — and him. 

“ You scared me then,” he said. 

“ Did I ? Why, it wasn’t anything.” 

“ Are you shore? ” 

“ Please don’t ask me any questions,” she requested. 

“Will you be up here again soon? ” 

“ If th’ baking turns out all right.” 

“ Hang the baking ! come anyway.” 

“ I’ll try; but I’m afraid,” she faltered. 

“Of what?” he demanded, sitting up very straight. 

“ Why, that I can’t,” she replied, hurriedly. “ You 
see, it’s far coming up here.” 

“ That’s easy. I’ll meet you west of th’ hills.” 

“ No, no ! I’ll come up here.” 

“ Look here,” he said, slowly and kindly. “ If yo’re 
afraid of bei*’ seen with me, don’t you try it. I want 
to see you a whole lot, but I don’t want you to have no 
trouble with yore father about it. I can wait till 
everything is all right if you want me to.” 

She turned and faced him, her cheeks red. “ No, it 
ain’t that, exactly. Don’t ask me any more. Don’t 
talk about it. I’ll come, all right, just as soon as I 
can.” 

They were on the line now and she held out her hand. 

“ Good-bye.” 

“ Good-bye for now. Try to come up an’ see me as 
soon as you can. If yo’re worryin’ because that 
Greaser don’t like me, stop it. I’ve been in too many 
tight places to get piped out vdiere there’s elbow room. 5 * 
[ 54 ] 


In West Arroyo 

“ I asked you not to say nothing more about it,” she 
chided. “ I’ll come when I can. Good-bye.” 

“ Good-bye,” he replied, his sombrero under his arm. 
He watched her until she became lost to sight and then, 
suspicious, wheeled, and saw Johnny sitting quietly on 
his horse several hundred yards away. He called his 
friend to him by one wide sweep of his arm and Johnny 
spurred forward. 

“ Follow me, Johnny,” he cried, dashing towards the 
arroyo. “ Take th’ other side an’ look for that Greaser. 
I’ll take this side. Edge off ; yo’re too close. Three 
hundred yards is about right.” 

They raced away at top speed, reckless and grim, 
Johnny not knowing just what it was all about; but 
the word Greaser needed no sauce to whet his appetite 
since the day he had caught Antonio watching his friend 
on the hill, and he scanned the plain eagerly. When 
they reached the other end of the arroyo Hopalong 
called to him : “ Sweep east an’ back to th’ line on a 

circle. If you catch him, shoot off yore Colt an’ hold 
him for me . I’m going west.” 

When they saw each other again it was on the line, 
and neither had seen any traces of Antonio, to Johnny’s 
vexation and Hopalong’s great satisfaction. 

“ What’s up, Hoppy P ” shouted Johnny. 

“ I reckoned that Greaser might ’a followed her so 
he could tell tales to Meeker,” Hopalong called. 

Johnny swept up recklessly, jauntily, a swagger al- 
most in the very actions of his horse, which seemed to 
have caught the spirit of its rider. 

[ 55 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

44 Caught you that time,” he laughed — and Johnny, 
when in a teasing mood, could weave into his laughter 
an affectionate note which found swift pardon for any 
words he might utter. 44 You an’ her shore make a 
good — ” and then he saw the flower on his friend’s 
shirt and for the moment was rendered speechless by 
surprise. But in him the faculty of speech was well 
developed and he recovered quickly. 46 Sufferin’ coy- 
otes! Would you look at that! What’s cornin’ to us 
down here, anywa}^? Are you loco? Do you mean 
to let th’ rest of th’ outfit see that ? ” 

44 Calamity is cornin’ to th’ misguided mavericks 
that get gay about it ! ” retorted Hopalong. 44 1 wear 
what I feels like, an’ don’t you forget it, neither.” 

44 4 In thy d-a-r-k eyes splendor, where th’ 1-o-v-e 
light longs to dwel-1,’ ” Johnny hummed, grinning. 
Then his hand went out. 44 Good luck, Hoppy ! Th’ 
best of luck ! ” he cried. 44 She’s a dandy, all right, 
but she ain’t too good for you.” 

44 Much obliged,” Hopalong replied, shaking hands. 
44 But suppose you tell me what all th’ good luck is for. 
To hear you talk anybody’d think all a feller had to 
do was to ride with a woman to be married to her.” 

44 Well, then take off that wart of a flower an’ come 
on,” Johnny responded. 

44 What? Not to save yore spotted soul! An’ that 
ain’t no wart of a flower, neither.” 

Johnny burst out laughing, a laugh from the soul 
of him, welling up in infectious spontaneity, trium- 
phant and hearty. 44 Oh, oh! You bit that time! 
[ 56 ] 


In West Arroyo 

Anybody’d think about right in yore case, as far as 
wantin' to be married is concerned. Why, yo’re hittin’ 
th’ lovely trail to matri-mony as hard as you can.” 

In spite of himself Hopalong had to laugh at the 
jibing of his friend, the Kid. He thumped him heart- 
ily across the shoulders to show how he felt about it 
and Johnny’s breath was interfered with at a critical 
moment. 

44 Oh, just wait till th’ crowd sees that blossom ! Just 
wait,” Johnny coughed. 

46 You keep mum about what you saw, d’y’ hear? ” 

44 Shore ; but it’ll be on my mind all th’ time, an’ I 
talk in my sleep when anything’s on my mind.” 

44 Then that’s why I never heard you talk in yore 
sleep.” 

44 Aw, g’wan ! But they’ll see th’ flower, won’t 
they ? ” 

44 Shore they will ; but as long as they don’t know 
how it got there they can’t say much.” 

44 They can’t, hey!” Johnny exclaimed. 44 That’s a 
new one on me. It’s usually what they don’t know 
about that they talks of most. What they don’t know 
they can guess in this case, all right. Most of ’em are 
good on readin’ signs, an’ that’s plain as th’ devil.” 

44 But don’t you tell ’em ! ” Hopalong warned. 

44 No. I won’t tell ’em, honest,” Johnny replied. 
He could convey the information in a negative way and 
he grinned hopefully at the fun there would be. 

44 1 mean it, Kid,” Hopalong responded, reading the 
grin. 44 1 don’t care about myself ; they can joke all 
[ 57 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

they wants with me. But it ain’t nowise right to drag 
her into it, savvy? She don’t want to be talked about 
like that.” 

66 Yo’re right; they won’t find out nothin’ from me,” 
and Johnny saw his fun slip from him. 44 I’m goin’ 
east ; cornin’ along ? ” 

66 No; th’ other way. So long.” 

64 Hey!” cried Johnny anxiously, drawing rein. 
44 Frenchy said Buck was going to put some of us up 
in Number Five so Frenchy an’ his four could ride th’ 
line. Did Buck say anything to you about it? ” 

Line house Number Five was too far from the 
zone of excitement, if fighting should break out along 
the line, to please Johnny. 

44 He was stringin’ you, Kid,” Hopalong laughed. 
44 He won’t take any of th’ old outfit away from here.” 

44 Oh, I knowed that ; but I thought I’d ask, that’s 
all,” and Johnny cantered away, whistling happily. 

Hopalong looked after him and smiled, for Johnny 
had laughed and fought and teased himself into the 
heart of every man of the outfit : 44 He’s shore a good 

Kid ; an’ how he likes a fight ! ” 


[ 58 ] 


CHAPTER Y 


HOPALONG ASSERTS HIMSELF 

P ARALLELING West Arroyo and two miles east 
of it was another arroyo, through which Hopa- 
long was riding the day following his meeting 
with Mary. Coming to a place where he could look 
over the bank he saw a herd of H2 and Three Triangle 
cows grazing not far away, and Antonio was in charge 
of them. Hopalong did not know how long they had 
been in the valley, nor how they had crossed the line, 
but their presence was enough. It angered him, for 
here was open and, it appeared, authorized defiance. 
Not content to let his herds run as they wished, Meeker 
was actually sending them into the valley under guard, 
presumably to find out what would be done about it. 
The H2 foreman would find that out very soon, 
j The Mexican looked around and wheeled sharply to 
j face the danger, his listlessness gone in a flash. He 
was not there because of any orders from Meeker, but 
for reasons of his own. So when the Bar-20 puncher 
raised his arm and swept it towards the line he sat in 
sullen indifference, alert and crafty. 

[59] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ You*ve got gall!” cried Hopalong. 44 Who told 
you to herd up here ! ” 

Ant&wio frowned but did not reply. 

“Y^’re three miles too far north,” continued Hopa- 
long, riding slowly forward until their stirrups almost 
Couched. 

Antonio shrugged his shoulders. 

“I ain’t warbling for my health!” cried Hopalong. 
,4 You start them cows south right away.” 

“ I can’t.” 

Hopalong stared. 44 You can’t ! Got a sore thumb, 
mebby ! Well, I reckon you can, an’ will.” 

44 I can’t. Boss won’t let me.” 

44 Oh, he won’t! Well, I feel sorry for yore boss 
but yo’re going to push ’em just th’ same.” 

Antonio again shrugged his shoulders and lifted his 
hands in a gesture of helplessness. 

44 How long 3 r ou been here, an’ how’d you get in ? ” 

44 ’N’our. By de no.” 

44 Oh, yore foreman’s goin’ to raise h — 1, ain’t he!” 
Hopalong snorted. 44 He’s going to pasture on us 
whether we like it or not, is he? He’s a land thief * 
that’s what he is ! ” 

44 De boss ees all right ! ” asserted Antonio, heatedly. 

44 If he is he’s lop-sided, but he’ll be left if he banks 
on this play going through without a smash-up. You 
chase them cows home an’ keep ’em there. If I find 
you flittin’ around th’ ends of th’ line or herdin’ on this 
side of it I’ll give you something to nurse — an’ you’ll 
be lucky if you can nurse it. Come on, get a-going ! ’ r 
[ 60 ] 


Hopalong Asserts Himself 

Antonio waved his arm excitedly and was about to 
expostulate, but Hopalong cut him short by hitting 
him across the face with his quirt: 64 D — n you!” he 
cried, angrily. 46 Shut yore mouth ! Get them cows 
going! You coffee-colored half-breed of a Greaser, 
I’ve a mind to stop you right now. Come on, get a 
move on ! ” 

The Mexican’s face grew livid and he tried to back 
away, swearing in Spanish. Stung to action by the 
blow, he jerked at his gun, but found Hopalong’s Colt 
pushing against his neck. 

44 Drop that gun ! ” the Bar-20 puncher ordered, his 
eyes flashing. 44 Don’t you know better’n that? 
We’ve put up with yore crowd as long as we’re going 
to, an’ th’ next thing will be a slaughter if that fore- 
man of yourn don’t get some sense, an’ get it sudden. 
Don’t talk back ! Just start them cows ! ” 

The Mexican could do nothing but obey. His tri- 
umph at the success of his effort was torn with rabid 
hatred for the man who had struck him; but he could 
not fight with the Colt at his neck, and so sullenly 
obeyed. As they neared the line Hopalong ceased his 
personal remarks and, smiling grimly, turned to another 
topic. 

44 1 let you off easy ; but no more. Th’ next herd 
we find in our valley will go sudden an’ hard. If 
anybody is guardin’ it they’ll never know what hit ’em.” 
He paused for a moment and then continued, cold con- 
tempt in his voice : 44 1 reckon you had to obey orders, 

but you won’t do it again if you know what’s good 

[ 61 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

for you. If yore boss, as you calls him, don’t like 
what I’ve done, you tell him I said to drive th’ next 
herd hisself. If he ain’t man enough to bring ’em in 
hisself, tell him that Cassidy says to quit orderin’ his 
men to take risks he’s a-scared of.” 

“He ees brafe; he ain’t ’fraid,” Antonio rejoined. 
“ He weel keel you ef I tell heem what you say.” 

“ Tell him jus’ th’ same. I’ll be riding th’ line 
mostly, an’ if he wants to hunt me up an’ confab about 
it he can find me any time.” 

Antonio shrugged his shoulders and rode south, filled 
with elation at his success in stirring up hostility be- 
tween the two ranches, but his heart seethed with mur- 
der for the blow. He would carry a message to 
Meeker that would call for harsh measures, and the 
war would be on. 

As the Mexican departed Lanky Smith rode into 
sight and cantered forward to meet his friend. 

“ What’s up ? ” he asked. 

“ I don’t know, yet,” replied Hopalong. “ Greasers 
are such liars I don’t know what to think,” and he re- 
lated the matter to his companion. 

“ Lord, but you sent a stiff message to Meeker ! ” 
Lanky exclaimed. “You keep yore eyes plumb open 
from now on. Meeker’ll be wild, an’ th’ Greaser won’t 
forget that blow.” 

“ Was anybody on th’ east end this morning? ” 

“ Shore ; me an’ Pete,” Lanky replied, frowning. 
“ He couldn’t get a cow acrost without us seein’ him — 
he lied.” 


[ 62 ] 


Hopalong Asserts Himself 

“Well, it makes no difference how he got across; he 
was there, an’ that’s all I care about.” 

“ There’s one of his outfit now,” Lanky said. 

Hopalong looked around and saw an H£ puncher 
riding slowly past them, about two hundred yards to 
the south. 

“Who is he?” Lanky asked. 

“ Doc Riley. Meeker got him an’ Curley out of a 
bad scrape up north an’ took them both to punch for 
him. I hear he is some bad with th’ Colt. Sort of 
reckons he’s a whole war-party in breech-cloths an’ 
war-paint just ’cause he’s got his man.” 

“ He’s gettin’ close to th’ line,” Lanky remarked. 

“ Yes, because we’ve been turnin’ their cows.” 

“ Reckon he won’t stop us none to speak of.” 

Doc had stopped and was watching them and while 
he looked a cow blundered out of the brush and started 
to cross the line. Hopalong spurred forward to stop 
it, followed by Lanky, and Doc rode to intercept them. 

“ G’wan back, you bone-yard ! ” Hopalong shouted, 
firing his Colt in front of the animal, which now turned 
and ran back. 

Doc slid to a stand, his Colt out. “ What do you 
think you’re doing with that cow? ” 

“ None of yore business! ” Hopalong retorted. 

Doc backed away so he could watch Lanky, his hand 
leaping up, and Hopalong fired. Doc dropped the 
weapon and grabbed at his right arm, cursing wildly. 

“You half-breed!” cried Hopalong, riding closer. 
“ Next time you gets any curious about what I’m doing, 
[ 63 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

you better write. You’re a fine specimen to pull a gun 
on me, you are ! ” 

“ You’ll stop turnin’ our cows, or you’ll get a pass 
to h — 1!” retorted Doc. 44 We won’t stand for it no 
more, an’ when th’ boys hears about this you’ll have 
all you can take care of.” 

44 1 ain’t got nothing to do but ride th’ line an’ answer 
questions like I did youm,” Hopalong rejoined. 44 I 
will have lots of time to take care of any little trouble 
that blows up from yore way. But Meeker's th’ man 
I want to see. Tell him to take a herd across this line, 
will you? ” 

44 You’ll see him!” snapped Doc. 44 An’ you’ll need 
to see him first, too.” 

44 1 don’t pot-shoot — I’ll leave that for you fellers. 
All I want is an even break.” 

44 You’ll get it,” replied Doc, wheeling and riding off. 

44 Things are movin’ so fast you better send for 
Buck,” Lanky suggested. 44 Hell’ll be poppin’ down 
here purty soon.” 

44 I’ll tell him what’s going on, but there ain’t no use 
of bringing him down here till we has to,” Hopalong 
replied. 44 We can handle ’em. But I reckon Johnny 
had better go up an’ tell him.” 

44 Johnny ought to be riding this way purty quick; 
he’s coming from th’ hills.” 

44 We’ll meet him an’ get him off.” 

They met Johnny and when he had learned of his 
mission he protested against being sent away from the 

[ 64 ] 


Hopalong Asserts Himself 

line when things were getting crowded. “ I don’t wani 
to miss th’ fun ! ” he exclaimed. “ Send Red, or 
Lanky.” 

“Red’s too handy with th’ Winchester; we might 
need him,” Hopalong replied, smiling. 

“ Then you go, Lanky,” Johnny suggested. “ I’m 
better’n you with th 5 Colt.” 

“You’re better’n nothing!” retorted Lanky. “You 
do what you’re told, an’ quick. Nothing will happen 
while you’re gone, anyhow.” 

“ Then why don’t you want to go ? ” 

“ I don’t want th’ ride,” Lanky replied. “ It’s too 
fur.” 

“ Huh ! ” snorted Johnny. “ Too bad about you an’ 
th’ ride ! Poor old man, scared of sixty miles. I’ll toss 
up with you.” 

“ One of you has got to ride to Red an’ tell him. He 
mustn’t get caught unexpected,” Hopalong remarked. 

“ What do you call? ” asked Johnny, flipping a coin 
and catching it when it came down. 

“ All right, that’s fair enough. Heads,” Lanky re- 
plied. 

“Whoop! It’s tails!” cried Johnny, wheeling. 
“ I’m going for Red,” and he was gone before Lanky 
had time to object. 

“ Blasted Kid ! ” Lanky snorted. “ How’d I know 
it was tails ? ” 

“ That’s yore lookout,” laughed Hopalong. “ You 
ought to know him by this time. It’s yore own fault.” 

5 [ 65 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ I’ll tan his hide some of these fine days,” Lanky 
promised. “ He’s too fresh,” and he galloped off to 
cover the thirty miles between him and the bunk house 
in the least possible time so as to return as soon as he 
could. 


CHAPTER VI 


MEEKER IS TOLD 


W IEN Antonio had covered half of the dis- 
tance between the line and the H2 bunk 
house he was hailed from a chaparral and 
t> *w Benito ride into view. He told his satellite what 
Aad occurred in the valley, gave him a message for 
Shaw, who was now on the mesa, and cantered on to 
tell Meeker his version of the morning’s happenings. 

The H2 foreman was standing by the corral when 
his broncho-buster rode up, and he stared. “ Where’d 
you get that welt on th’ face? ” he demanded. 

Antonio told him, with many exclamations and angry 
gestures, that he had ridden through the valley to see 
if there were any H2 cows grazing on it, that he had 
found a small herd and was about to return to his own 
range when he was held up and struck by Hopalong, 
who accused him of having driven the cattle across 
the line. When he had denied this he had been called a 
liar and threatened with death if he was ever again 
caught on that side of the line. 

“By G — d!” cried th<> foreman. “That’s purty 

[ 67 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

high-handed! I’ll give ’em something to beller about 
when I finds out j ust what I want to do ! ” 

44 He say, 4 Tell that boss of yourn to no send you, 
send heemself nex’ time.’ He say he weel keel you on 
sight. I say he can’t. He laugh, so! ” laughing in a 
blood-curdling manner. 44 He say he keel nex’ man an’ 
cows that cross line. He ees uno devil ! ” 

44 He will, hey ! ” Meeker exclaimed, thoroughly 
angered. 44 We’ll give him all th’ chance he wants when 
we get things fixed. ’Tony, what did you do about 
getting those two men you spoke of? You went down 
to Eagle, didn’t you? ” 

“ Si, si,” assured the Mexican. 44 They come, pronto. 
They can keel lieem. They come to-day; quien sabe? ” 
44 I’ll do my own killin’ — but here comes Doc,” 
Meeker replied. 44 Looks mad, too. Mebby they was 
going to kill him an’ he objected. Hullo, Doc; what’s 
th’ matter? ” 

44 That Cassidy d — n near blowed my arm off,” Doc 
replied. 44 Caught him turnin’ back one of our cows 
an’ told him not to. When I backed off so I could 
keep one eye on his friend he up an’ plugs me through 
my gun arm.” 

44 1 see ; they owns th’ earth ! ” Meeker roared. 
44 Shootin’ up my men ’cause they stick up for me! 
Come in th’ house an’ get that w T ing fixed. We can 
talk in there,” he said, glancing at Antonio. 44 They 
cut ’Tony across th’ face with a quirt ’cause he was 
ridin’ in their valley ! ” 


[ 68 ] 


Meeker Is Told 

44 Let’s get th’ gang together an’ wipe ’em off th* 
earth,” Doc suggested, following Meeker towards the 
house. 

Mary looked up when they entered : 44 What’s th’ 

matter, Dad? Why, are you hurt, Doc? ” 

44 Don’t ask questions, girl,” Meeker ordered. 44 Get 
us some hot water an’ some clean cloth. Sit down, Doc ; 
we’ll fix it in no time.” 

44 We better clean ’em up to-morrow,” Doc remarked. 

44 No; there ain’t no use of losin’ men fighting if 
there’s any other way. You know there’s a good strong 
line house on th’ top of Lookout Peak, don’t you? ” 

44 Shore; reg’lar fort. They calls it Number Three.” 

Mary had returned and was tearing a bandage, lis- 
tening intently to what was being said. 

44 What’s th’ matter 'with getting in that some day 
soon an’ holdin’ it for good?” asked the foreman. 
44 It overlooks a lot of range, an’ once we’re in it it’ll 
cost ’em a lot of lives to get it back — if they can get 
it back.” 

44 You’re right!” cried Doc, eagerly. 44 Let me an’ 
Curley get in there to-night an’ hold her for you. 
We can do it.” 

44 You can’t do that. Somebody sleeps in it nights. 
Nope, we’ve got to work some scheme to get it in th’ 
daylight. They are bound to have it guarded, an’ 
we’ve got to coax him out somehow. I don’t know how, 
but I will before many hours pass. Hullo, who’s this? ” 
he asked, seeing two strangers approach the house. 

[ 69 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ Couple of Greasers,” grunted Doc. 

“ Hey, you,” cried Meeker through the open door* 
“ You go down to tk’ corral an’ wait for me.” 

“ Si , senor .” 

“ What’s th’ matter, Dad?” asked Mary. “How 
did Doc get shot? ” 

Meeker looked up angrily, but his face softened. 

“ There’s a whole lot th’ matter, Mary. That Bar-20 ' 
shore is gettin’ hot-headed. Cassidy hit ’Tony acrost 
th’ face with a quirt an’ shot Doc. ’Tony was aiding 
through that valley, an’ Doc told Cassidy not to drive 
back a cow of ourn.” 

She flushed. “ There must ’a been more’n that, Dad. 
He wouldn’t ’a shot for that. I know it.” 

“ You know it ! ” cried Meeker, astonished. “ How 
do you know it ? ” 

“ He ain’t that kind. I know he ain’t.” 

“ I asked how you knew it ! ” 

She looked down and then faced him. “ Because I 
know him, because he ain’t that kind. What did you 
say to him, Doc? ” 

Meeker’s face was a study and Doc flushed, for she 
was looking him squarely in the eyes. 

“What did you say to him?” she repeated. “Did 
you make a gun-play? ” 

“Well, by G — d!” shouted Meeker, leaping to his 
feet. “You know him, hey! 6 He ain’t that kind!’ 
How long have you known him, an’ where’d you meet 
him? ” 

“ This is no time to talk of that,” she replied, her 

[TO] 


Meeker Is Told 

spirit aroused. 44 Ask Doc what he did an’ said to get 
shot. Look at him ; he lied when he told you about it.” 

44 I told him to quit driving our cows back,” Doc 
cried. 44 Of course I had my hand on my gun when I 
said it. I’d been a fool if I hadn’t, wouldn’t I? ” 

44 That ain’t all,” she remarked. 44 Did you try to ' 
use it? ” i 

Meeker was staring first at one and then at the other, 
not knowing just what to say. Doc looked at him 
and his mind was made up. 

44 What’d you do, Doc ? ” he asked. 

44 1 said: 4 What are you doing with that cow?’ 
an’ he said it wasn’t none of my business. I got mad 
then an’ jerked my gun loose, but he got me first. I 
wasn’t going to shoot. I was only getting ready for 
him if he tried to.” 

44 How did he know you wasn’t going to shoot? ” 
Meeker demanded. 44 Reckon I can’t blame him for 
that. He must be quick on th’ draw.” 

44 Quickest I ever saw. He had his gun out to shoot 
in front of a cow. At th’ time I thought he was going 
to kill it. That’s what made me get in so quick. He 
slid it back in th’ holster an’ faced me. I told you 
what happened then.” j 

44 Well, we’ve got to show them fellers they can’t fool, 
with us an’ get away with it,” Meeker replied. 44 An’ 
I’ve got to have th’ use of that crick somehow. I’ll 
think of some way to square things.” 

44 Wait, I’ll go with you,” Doc remarked, following 
the other towards the door. 

[ 71 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

ic You go in th’ bunk house an’ wait for me. I want 
to see what them Greasers want.” 

66 Wonder how much ’Tony didn’t tell,” mused the 
foreman, as he went towards the corral. 44 Reckon Cas- 
sidy cut him ’cause he was a Greaser. Come purty 
nigh doing it myself, once. Well, I don’t care, but 
I’ve got to notice plays like that or they’ll think I’m 
scared of ’em. I’ll go up an’ have it out, an’ when I 
get ready I’ll show them swaggerin’ bucks what’s 
what.” 

When he returned he saw Antonio leaning against 
his shack, for the Mexican was not tolerated by the rest 
of the outfit and so lived alone. He looked at his fore- 
man and leered knowingly, and then went inside the 
building, where he laughed silently. 44 That’s a joke, 
all right ! Meeker hiring two of my brothers to watch 
his cows an’ do his spying! We’ll skin this range be* 
fore we’re through.” 

Meeker frowned when he caught his broncho-buster’s 
look and he growled: 44 You never did look good, an’ 
that welt shore makes you look more like th’ devil than 
ever.” He glanced at the house and the frown deep- 
ened. 44 So you know Cassidy ! That’s a nice thing to 
tell me! I’ll just go up an’ see that coyote, right now,” 
and he went for his horse, muttering and scowling. 

Antonio knew of a herd of cows and calves which 
had not been included in the 112 roundup, and which 
were fattening on an outlying range. There was also 
a large herd of Bar-20 cattle growing larger every day 
on the western range far outside the boundaries. Benito 
[72] 


Meeker Is Told 

was scouting, Shaw and the others were nearly ready 
for work on the mesa, and now Meeker had hired An- 
tonio’s brothers to help him to be robbed. Added to 
this was the constantly growing hostility along the 
line, and this would blaze before he and Benito had 
finished their work. Everything considered he was very 
much pleased and even his personal vengeance was pro- 
vided for. Doc had more cause for animosity against 
Hopalong than he had, and if the Bar-20 puncher 
should be killed some day when Doc rode the northern 
range Doc would be blamed for it. But Meeker had 
not acted as he should have done when two of his men 
had been hurt on the same day, and that must be 
remedied. The faster things moved towards fighting 
the less chance there would be of the plot becoming 
known. 

Antonio was the broncho-buster of the H2 because 
he was a positive genius at the work, and he was a 
good, all-around cowman when he overcame his inher- 
ent laziness; but he was cruel to a degree with both 
horses and cattle. Because of his fitness Meeker had 
overlooked his undesirable qualities, which he had in 
plenty. He was entirely too fond of liquor and 
gambling, was uncertain in his hours, and used his time 
as he saw fit when not engaged in breaking horses. 
A natural liar, exceedingly unclean in his habits, vin- 
dictive and with a temper dry as tinder, he was shunned 
by the other members of the outfit. This filled his 
heart with hatred for them and for Meeker, who did 
not interfere. He swore many times that he would 
[73] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

square up everything some day, and the day was get- 
ting closer. 

In appearance he was about medium height, but his 
sloping shoulders and lax carriage gave his arms the 
appearance of being abnormally long. His face was 
sharp and narrow, while his thin, wiry body seemed 
almost devoid of flesh. Like most cowboys he was a 
poor walker and his toes turned in like those of an 
Indian. Such was Antonio, who longed to gamble with 
Fortune in a dangerous game for stakes which to him 
were large, and who had already suggested to Meeker 
that the line house on Lookout Peak was the key to 
the situation. It was the germ, which grew slowly in 
the foreman’s brain and became more feasible and in- 
sistent day by day, and it accounted for his fits of 
abstraction; it would not do to fail if the attempt were 
made. 


CHAPTER VII 


HOPALONG MEETS MEEKER 


X IT T HEN Meeker was within a mile of the line 
% / % / me ^ Curley, told him what had oc- 

W W eurred and that he was going to find 
Hopalong. Curley smiled and replied that he had seen 
that person less than ten minutes ago and that he was 
riding towards the peak, and alone. 

“ We’ll go after him,” Meeker replied. “ You come 
because I want to face him in force so he won’t start 
no gun-play an’ make me kill him. That’d set hell 
to pop.” 

Hopalong espied Johnny far to the east and he 
smiled as he remembered the celerity with which that in- 
dividual had departed after glancing at the coin. 

“ There ain’t no flies on th’ Kid, all right,” he 
laughed, riding slowly so Johnny could join him. He 
saw Curley riding south and looked over the rough 
plain for other H2 punchers. Some time later as he 
passed a chaparral he glanced back to see what had 
become of his friend, but found that he had disap- 
peared. When he wheeled to watch for him he saw 
Meeker and Curley coming towards him and he shook 
[ 75 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

his holster to be sure his Colt was not jammed in it tr*> 
tightly. 

44 Well, here’s where th’ orchestry tunes up, all right,” 
he muttered grimly. 66 Licked th’ Greaser, plugged 
Doc, an’ sent word to Meeker to come up if he wasn’t 
scared. He’s come, an’ now I’ll have to lick two more. 
If they push me I’ll shoot to kill ! ” 

The H2 foreman rode ahead of his companion and 
stopped when fifty yards from the alert line-rider. 
Pushing his sombrero back on his head, he lost no time 
in skirmishing. 64 Did you chase my broncho-buster out 
of yore valley, cut his face with yore quirt, an’ shoot 
Doc? Did you send word to me that you’d kill me if 
I showed myself? ” 

44 Was you ever an auctioneer,” calmly asked Hopa- 
long, 64 or a book agent? ” 

44 What’s that got to do with it? ” Meeker demanded. 
44 You heard what I said.” 

44 1 don’t know nothing about yore broncho-buster* 
taking one thing at a time, which is proper.” 

44 What! You didn’t drive him out, or cut him? ” 

44 No; why? ” asked Hopalong, chuckling. 

44 He says you did — an’ somebody quirted him.” 

44 He’s loco — he wasn’t in th’ valley,” Hopalong 
replied. 44 Think he could get in that valley? Him, 
or any other man we didn’t want in? ” 

44 You’re devilish funny ! ” retorted Meeker, riding 
slowly forward, followed by his companion, who began 
to edge away from his foreman. 44 Since you are so 
[ 76 ] 


Hopalong Meets Meeker 

exact, did you chase him off* yore range an’ push him 
over th’ line at th’ point of yore gun ? ” 

“You’ve got me. Better not come too close — my 
cayuse don’t like gettin’ crowded.” 

“ That’s all right,” Meeker retorted, not heeding the 
warning. “ Do you mean to tell me you don’t know? 
Yore name’s Cassidy, ain’t it?” he asked, angrily, his 
determination to avoid fighting rapidly becoming lost. 

“ That’s my own, shore ’nuf name,” Hopalong an- 
swered, and then : “Do you mean that cross-eyed, 
bone-yard of a yellow-faced Greaser I caught stealing 
our range? ” 

“Yes!” snapped Meeker, stopping again. 

“ Why didn’t you say so, then, ’stead of calling him 
yore broncho-buster? ” Hopalong demanded. “ How 
do I know who yore broncho-buster is? I don’t know 
what every land pirate does in this country.” 

“ Then you shot Doc — do you know who I mean 
this time?” sarcastically asked the H2 foreman. 

“ Oh, shore. He didn’t get his gun out quick enough 
when he went after it, did he? Any more I can tell 
you before I begins to say things, too? ” 

Meeker, angered greatly by Hopalong’s contemptu- 
ous inflection and the reckless assertiveness of his every 
word and look, began to ride to describe a circle around 
the Bar-20 puncher, Curley going the other way. 

“ You said you’d kill me when you saw me, didn’t 
you, you — ” 

Hopalong was backing away so as to keep both men 

[ 77 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

in front of him, alert, eager, and waiting for the signal 
to begin his two-handed shooting. “ I ain’t a whole 
lot deaf — I can hear you from where you are. You 
better stop, for I’ve ridden out of tighter holes than 
this, an’ you’ll shore get a pass to h — 1 if you crowd 
me too much ! ” 

Adown th’ road, an’ gun in hand, 

Comes Whiskey Bill, mad Whiskey Bill — 

This fragment of song floated out of a chaparral 
about twenty yards behind Hopalong, who grinned 
pleasantly when he heard it. Now he knew where 
Johnny was, and now he had the whip hand without 
touching his guns; while the youngster was not in sight 
he was all the more dangerous, since he presented no tar- 
get. Johnny knew this and was greatly pleased thereby, 
and he was more than pleased by the way Hopalong 
had been talking. 

The effect of the singing was instant and marked 
on Meeker and his companion, for they not only stopped 
suddenly and swore, but began to back away, glancing 
around in an endeavor to locate the joker in the deck. 
This they failed to do because Johnny was far too wise 
to advertise his exact whereabouts. Meeker looked at 
Curley and Curley looked at Meeker, both uneasy and 
angry. 

“As I was sayin’ before th’ concert began,” Hopa- 
long remarked, laughing shortly, “ it’s a pass to h — 1 
if you crowd me too much. Now, Meeker, you’ll listen 
to me an’ I’ll tell you what I didn’t have time to say 
[ 78 ] 


Hopalong Meets Meeker 

before: I told that shifty-eyed mud-image of a 
Greaser that th’ next herd of youm to cross th’ line 
should be brought in by you, ’less you was scared to 
run th’ risks yore men had to take. He said you’d 
kill me for that message, an’ I told him you knew where 
you could find me. Now about Doc: When a man 
pulls a gun on me he wants to be quicker than he was 
or he’ll shore get hurt. I could ’a killed him just as 
easy as to plug his gun arm, an’ just as easy as I 
could ’a plugged both of you if you pulled on me. 
You came up here looking for my scalp an’ if you still 
wants it I’ll go away from th’ song bird in the chaparral 
an’ give you th’ chance. I’d ruther let things stay as 
they are, though if you wants, I’ll take both you an’ 
Curley, half-mile run together, with Colts.” 

“ No, I didn’t come up here after your scalp, but I 
got mad after I found you. How long is this going to 
last? I won’t stand for it much longer, nohow.” 

“ You’ll have to see Buck. I’m obeyin’ orders, which 
are to hold th’ line against you, which I’ll do.” 

“ H’m ! ” replied Meeker, and then : “ Do you know 

my girl ? ” 

Hopalong thought quickly. “ Why, I’ve seen her 
ridin’ around some. But why ? ” 

66 She says she knows you,” persisted Meeker, frown- 
ing- 

The frown gave Hopalong his cue, but he hardly 
knew what to say, not knowing what she had said 
about it. 


[791 


Hopalong Cassidy 

6< Hey, you ! ” he suddenly cried to Curley. 44 Keep 
yore hand from that gun ! ” 

“ I didn’t — ” 

66 You’re lying ! Any more of that an’ I’ll gimlet 
you ! ” 

44 What in h — 1 are you doing, Curley ? ” demanded 
Meeker, the girl question out of his mind instantly. 
He had been looking closely at Hopalong and didn’t 
know that Curley was innocent of any attempt to use 
his Colt. 

“I tell—” 

44 Get out of here ! I’ve wasted too much time already. 
Go home, where that gun won’t worry you. You, too, 
Meeker 1 Bring an imitation bad-man up here an’ 
sayin’ you didn’t want my scalp ! Flit ! ” 

44 I’ll go when I’m d — d good and ready ! ” retorted 
Meeker, angry again. 44 You’re too blasted bossy, you 
are ! ” he added, riding towards the man who had shot 
Doc. 

A-looking for some place to land — 

floated out of the chaparral and he stiffened in the 
saddle and stopped. 

44 Come on, Curley ! We can’t lick pot-shooters. 
An’ let that gun alone ! ” 

44 D — n it ! I tell you I wasn’t going for my gun ! ” 
Curley yelled. 

44 Get out of here ! ” blazed Hopalong, riding for- 
ward. 

They rode away slowly, consulting in low voices-. 

[ 80 ] 


Hopalong Meets Meeker 

Then the foreman turned and looked back. “ You 
better be careful how you shoot my punchers! They 
ain’t all like Doc, an’ they ain’t all Greasers, neither.’* 
<e Then you’re lucky,” Hopalong retorted. “ You 
keep yore cows on yore side an’ we won’t hurt none of 
yore outfit.” 

When they had gone Hopalong wheeled to look for 
Johnny and saw him crawling out of a chaparral, 
dragging a rifle after him. He capered about, wav- 
ing the rifle and laughing with joy and Hopalong had 
to laugh with him. When they were rid of the sur- 
plus of the merriment Johnny patted the rifle. 
46 Reckon they was shore up against a marked deck that 
time! Did you see ’em stiffen when I warbled? Acted 
like they had roped a puma an’ didn’t know what to do 
with it. Gee, it was funny ! ” 

<c You’re all right, Kid,” laughed Hopalong. “ It 
was yore best play — you couldn’t ’a done better.” 

“ Shore,” replied Johnny. “ I had my sights glued 
to Curley’s shirt pocket, an’ he’d been plumb disgusted 
if he’d tried to do what you said he did. I couldn’t ’a 
missed him with a club at that range. I nearly died 
when you pushed Meeker’s girl question up that blind 
canyon. It was a peach of a throw, all right. Bet he 
ain’t remembered yet that he didn’t get no answer to it. 
We’re going" to have some blamed fine times down here 
before everything is settled, ain’t we?” 

“ I reckon so, Kid. I’m going to leave you now an’ 
look around by West Arroyo. You hang around th’ 
line.” 


6 


[ 81 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ AH right — so long.” 

“ Can you catch yore cay use? ” 

“ Shore I can ; he’s hobbled,” came the reply from 
behind a spur of the chaparral. “ Stand stilly you hen! 
All right, Hoppy.” 

Johnny cantered away and, feeling happy, began 
singing : 

Adown th’ road, an’ gun in hand, 

Comes Whiskey Bill, mad Whiskey Bill; 

A-looking for some place to land 
Comes Whiskey Bill. 

An’ everybody’d like to be 
Ten miles away behind a tree 
When on his joyous, achin’ spree 
Starts Whiskey Bill. 

Th’ times have changed since you made love* 

Oh, Whiskey Bill, oh, Whiskey Bill; 

Th’ happy sun grinned up above 
At Whiskey Bill. 

An’ down th’ middle of th’ street 
Th’ sheriff comes on toe-in feet, 

A-wishing for one fretful peek 
At Whiskey Bill. 

Th’ cows go grazin’ o’er th’ lea — 

Pore Whiskey Bill, pore Whiskey Bill} 

An’ aching thoughts pour in on me 
Of Whiskey Bill. 

Th’ sheriff up an’ found his stride. 

Bill’s soul went shootin’ down th’ slides 
How are things on th’ Great Divide, 

Oh, Whiskey Bill? 


[ 82 ] 


CHAPTER VIII 


ON THE EDGE OF THE DESERT 

T HUNDER MESA was surrounded by almost im- 
penetrable chaparrals, impenetrable to horse and 
rider except along certain alleys, but not too 
dense for a man on foot. These stretched away on all 
sides as far as the eye could see and made the desolate 
prospect all the more forbidding. It rose a sheer hun- 
dred feet into the air, its sides smooth rock and affording 
no footing except a narrow, precarious ledge which 
slanted up the face of the southern end, too broken and 
narrow to permit of a horse ascending, but passable 
to a man. 

The top of the mesa was about eight acres in ex- 
tent and was rocky and uneven, cut by several half- 
filled fissures which did not show on the walls. Unin- 
viting as the top might be considered it had one feature 
I which was uncommon, for the cataclysm of nature which 
had caused this mass of rock to tower above the plain 
had given to it a spring which bubbled out of a crack 
in the rock and into a basin cut by itself; from there 
it flowed down the wall and into a shallow depression 
in the rock below, where it made a small water hole be- 

[ 83 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

fore flowing through the chaparrals, where it sank into 
the sand and became lost half a mile from its source. 

At the point where the slanting ledge met the top of 
the mesa was a hut built of stones and adobe, its rear 
wall being part of a projecting wall of rock. Narrow, 
deep loopholes had been made in the other walls and a 
rough door, massive and tight fitting, closed the small 
doorway. The roof, laid across cedar poles which ran 
from wall to wall, was thick and flat and had a gener- 
ous layer of adobe to repel the rays of the scorching 
sun. Placed as it was the hut overlooked the trail lead- 
ing to it from the plain, and should it be defended by 
determined men, assault by that path w r ould be fool- 
hardy. 

On the plain around the mesa extended a belt of sparse 
grass, some hundreds of feet wide at the narrowest point 
and nearly a mile at the widest, over which numer- 
ous rocks and bowlders and clumps of chaparral lay 
scattered. On this pasture were about three score cattle, 
most of them being yearlings, but all bearing the brand 
PIQQ and a diagonal ear cut. These were being 
watched by a careless cowboy, although it was be- 
littling their scanty intelligence to suppose that they 
would leave the water and grass, poor as the latter was, 
to stray off onto the surrounding desert. 

At the base of the east wall of the mesa was a rough 
corral of cedar poles set on end, held together by raw- 
hide strips, which, put on green, tightened with the 
strength of steel cables when dried by the sun. Ir its 
[ ;i 


On the Edge of the Desert 

shadow another man watched the cattle while he worked 
in a desultory way at repairing a saddle. Within the 
corral a man was bending over a cow while two others 
held it down. Its feet were tied and it was Ranting, 
wild-eyed and frightened. The man above it stepped 
to a glowing fire a few paces away and took from it a hot 
iron, with which he caref ully traced over the small brand 
already borne by the animal. With a final flourish he 
stepped back, regarding the work with approval, and 
thrust the iron into the sand. Taking a knife from his 
pocket he trimmed the V notch in its ear to the same 
slanting cut seen on the cattle outside on the pasture. 
He tossed the bit of cartilage from him, stepping back 
and nodding to his companions, who loosened the ropes 
and leaped back, allowing the animal to escape. 

Shaw, who had altered the H£ brand, turned to one 
of the others and laughed heartily. 64 Good job, eh 
Manuel? Th’ H2 won’t know their cow now!” 

Manuel grinned. “ Si, si; eet ees ! ” he cried. He 
was cook for the gang, a bosom friend of Benito and 
Antonio, slight, cadaverous, and as shifty-eyed as his 
friends. In his claw-like fingers he held a husk 
cigarette, without which he was seldom seen. He spoke 
very little but watched always, his eyes usually turned 
eastward. He seemed to be almost as much afraid of 
the east as Cavalry was of the west, where the desert 
lay. He ridiculed Cavalry’s terror of the desert and 
explained why the east was to be feared the more, foj 
the eastern danger rode horses and could come to them 
[ 85 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ Hope ’Tony fixes up that line war purty soon, eh, 
Cavalry? ” remarked Shaw, suddenly turning to the 
third man in the group. 

Cavalry was staring moodily towards the desert and 
did not hear him. 

“ Cavalry ! Get that desert off yore mind ! Do you 
want to go loco? Who’s going to take th’ next drive 
an’ bring back th’ flour, you or Clausen ? ” 

“ It’s Clausen’s turn next.” 

Manuel slouched away and began to climb the slant- 
ing path up the mesa. Shaw watched him reflectively 
and laughed. “ There he goes again. Beats th’ devil 
how scared he is, spending most of his time on th’ look- 
out. Why, he’s blamed near as scared of them punchers 
as you are of that skillet out 3^onder.” 

“ We ain’t got no kick, have we? ” retorted Cavalry. 
“ Ain’t he looking out for us at th’ same time? ” 

66 I don’t know about that,” Shaw replied, frowning. 
“ I ain’t got no love for Manuel. If he saw ’em com- 
ing an’ could get away he’d sneak off without saying a 
word. It’d give him a chance to get away while we 
held ’em.” 

“ We’ll see him go, then ; there’s only one way down.” 

“ Oh, th’ devil with him ! ” Shaw exclaimed. 
66 What do you think of th’ chances of startin’ that 
range war? ” 

“ From what th’ Greaser says it looks good.” 

“ Yes. But he’ll get caught some day, or night, an’ 
pay for it with his life.” 

Cavalry shrugged his shoulders. “ I reckon so ; but 

[ 86 ] 


On the Edge of the Desert 

he’s only a Greaser,” he said, coldly. 44 I’d ruther 
they’d get him out there than to follow him here, 
he goes, I hope it’s sudden, so he won’t have time 
squeal.” 

“ He y s a malignant devil, an’ he hates that H2 out- 
fit like blazes,” replied Shaw. 66 An’ now he’s got a' 
pizen grudge agin’ th’ Bar-20. He might let his hate 
get th’ upper hand an’ start in to square things; if he 
does that he’ll over-reach, an’ get killed.” 

44 I reckon so ; but he’s clever as th’ devil hisself .” 

44 Well, if he gets too big-headed out here Hall will 
take care of him, all right,” Shaw laughed. 

44 1 don’t like th’ Greasers he’s saddled us with,” Cav- 
alry remarked. 44 There’s Manuel an’ Benito. One of 
’em is here all th’ time an’ close to you, too, if you re- 
member. Then he’s going to put two or three on th’ 
range ; why ? ” 

44 Suspects we’ll steal some of his share, I reckon. 
An’ if he gets in trouble with us they’ll be on his side. 
Oh, he’s no fool.” 

44 If he ’tends to business an’ forgets his grudges it’ll 
be a good thing for us. That Bar-20 has got an awful 
number of cows. An’ there’s th’ H2, an’ th’ other two 
up north.” 

44 We’ve tackled th’ hardest job first — th’ Bar-20,” 
replied Shaw, laughing. 44 1 used to know some fellers 
what said that outfit couldn’t be licked. They died try- 
ing to prove themselves liars.” 

44 Wonder how much money ’Tony totes around on 
him? ” asked Cavalry. 


[ 87 ] 




Hopalong Cassidy 

“ Not much ; he’s too wise. He’s cached it some® 
where. Was you reckonin’ on takin’ it away from him 
at th’ end? ” 

44 No, no. I just wondered what he did with it.” 

The man at the gate looked up. 44 Here comes 
’Tony.” 

Shaw and his companion rode forward to meet him. 

44 What’s up ? ” cried Shaw. 

44 1 have started th’ war,” Antonio replied, a cruel 
smile playing over his sharp face. 44 They’ll be 
fightin’ purty soon.” 

44 That’s good,” responded Shaw. 44 Tell us about 
it.” 

Antonio, with many gestures and much conceit, told\ 
of the trick he had played on Hopalong, and he took 
care to lose no credit in the telling. He passed lightly 
over the trouble between Doc and the Bar-20 puncher, 
but intimated that he had caused it. He finished by 
saying: 44 You send to th’ same place to-morrow an’ 
Benito’ll have some cows for you. They’ll soon give 
us our chance, an’ it’ll be easy then.” 

44 Mebby it will be easy,” replied Shaw, 44 but that 
rests with you. You’ve got to play yore cards plumb 
cautious. You’ve done fine so far, but if you ain’t care- 
ful you’ll go to h — 1 in a hurry an’ take us with you. 
You can’t fool ’em all th’ time, for someday they’ll get 
suspicious an’ swap ideas. An’ when they do that it 
means fight for us.” 

Antonio smiled and thought how easy it might be, 
if the outfits grew suspicious and he learned of it in 
[ 88 ] 


On the Edge of the Desert 

time, to discover tracks and other things and tell 
Meeker he was sure there was organized rustling and 
that all tracks pointed to Thunder Mesa. He could 
ride across the border before any of his partners had 
time to confess and implicate him. But he assured Shaw 
that he would be careful, adding: 44 No, I won’t make 
no mistakes. I hate ’em all too much to grow careless.” 

44 That’s just where you’ll miss fire,” the other re- 
joined. 44 You’ll pamper yore grouch till you forget 
everything else. You better be satisfied to get square 
by taking their cows.” 

44 Don’t worry about that.” 

44 All right. Here’s yore money for th’ last herd,” 
he said, digging down into his pocket and handing the 
Mexican some gold coins. 44 You know how to get 
more.” 

Antonio took the money, considered a moment and 
then pocketed it, laughing. 44 Good ! But I mus’ go 
back now. I won’t be out here again very soon; it’s 
too risky. Send me my share by Benito,” he called 
over his shoulder as he started off. 

The two rustlers watched him and Cavalry shook his 
head slowly. 44 I’m plumb scairt he’ll bungle it. If 
he does we’ll get caught like rats in a trap.” 

44 If we’re up there we can hold off a thousand,” 
Shaw replied, looking up the wall. 

44 Here comes Hall,” announced the man at the gate. 

The newcomer swept up and leaped from his hot and 
tired horse. 44 1 found them other ranches are keeping 
their men ridin’ over th’ range an’ along th’ trails — ■ 


Hopalong Cassidy 

I near got caught once,” he reported. 4r vVe’ll have 
to be careful how we drives to th’ construction camps.” 

They’ll get tired watchin’ after a while,” replied the 
leader. 44 ’Tony was just here.” 

“ I don’t care if he’s in h — 1,” retorted Hall. 44 He’ll 
peach on us to save his mangy skin, one of these days.” 

K We’ve got to chance it.” 

“ Where’s Frisco?” 

66 Down to Eagle for grub to tide us over for a few 
days.” 

44 Huh ! ” exclaimed Hall. 44 Everything considered 
we’re goin’ to fight like th’ devil out here someday. 
Down to Eagle ! ” 

44 We can fight ! ” retorted Shaw. 44 An’ if we has to 
run for it, there’s th’ desert.” 

44 I’d ruther die right here fighting than on that des- 
ert,” remarked Cavalry, shuddering. 44 When I go I 
want to go quick, an’ not be tortured for ’most a week.” 
He had an insistent and strong horror of that gray void 
of sand and alkali so near at hand and so far across. 
He was nervous and superstitious, and it seemed always 
to be calling him. Many nights he had awakened in a 
cold sweat because he had dreamed it had him, and often 
it was all he could do to resist going out to it. 

Shaw laughed gratingly. 44 You don’t like it, do 
you?” 

Hall smiled and walked towards the slanting trail. 

44 Why, it ain’t bad,” he called over his shoulder. 

46 It’s an earthly hell ! ” Cavalry exclaimed. He 

[ 90 ] 


On the Edge of the Desert 

glanced up the mesa wall. 46 We can hold that till we 
starve, or run out of cartridges — then what? ” 

46 You’re a calamity howler ! 55 snapped Shaw. 44 That 
desert has wore a saddle sore on yore nerves somethin’ 
awful. Don’t think about it so much! It can’t come 
to you, an’ you ain’t going to it,” he laughed, trying to 
wipe out the suggestion of fear that had been awak- 
ened in him by the thought of the desert as a place of 
refuge. He had found a wanderer, denuded of clothes, 
sweating blood and hopelessly mad one day when he and 
Cavalry had ridden towards the desert ; and the sight of 
the unfortunate’s dying agonies had remained with him 
ever since. 44 We ain’t going to die out here — they' 
won’t look for us where they don’t think there’s any 
grass or water.” 

Fragments of Manuel’s song floated down to them 
as they strode towards the trail, and reassured that all 
would be well, their momentary depression was banished 
by the courage of their hearts. 

The desert lay beyond, quiet; ominous by its very 
silence and inertia; a ghastly, malevolent aspect in its 
every hollow; patient, illimitable, scorching; fascinat- 
ing in its horrible calm, sinister, forbidding, hellish. It 
,had waited through centuries — and was still waiting, 
like the gigantic web of the Spider of Thirst. 


[ 91 ] 


CHAPTER IX 


ON THE PEAK 

H OPALONG CASSIDY had the most striking 
personality of all the men in his outfit ; 
humorous, courageous to the point of foolish- 
ness, eager for fight or frolic, nonchalant when one 
would expect him to be quite otherwise, curious, loyal 
to a fault, and the best man with a Colt in the South- 
west, he was. a paradox, and a puzzle even to his most 
intimate friends. With him life was a humorous re- 
currence of sensations, a huge pleasant joke instinctively 
tolerated, but not worth the price cowards pay to keep it. 
He had come onto the range when a boy and since that 
time he had laughingly carried his life in his open hand, 
and although there had been many attempts to snatch 
it he still carried it there, and just as recklessty. 

Quick in decisions and quick to suspect evil designs 
against him and his ranch, he was different from his 
foreman, whose temperament was more optimistic. 
When Buck had made him foreman of the line riders he 
had no fear that Meeker or his men would take many 
tricks, for his faith in Hopalong’s wits and ability was 
[ 92 ] 


On the Peak 

absolute. He had such faith that he attended to what he 
had to do about the ranch house and did not appear 
on the line until he had decided to call on Meeker and 
put the question before him once and for all. If the 
H2 foreman did not admit the agreement and promise 
to abide by it then he would be told to look for 
trouble. 

While Buck rode towards Lookout Peak, Hopalong 
dismounted at the line house perched on its top and 
found Red Connors seated on the rough bench by the 
door. Red, human firebrand both in hair and temper, 
was Hopalong’s loyal chum — in the eyes of the other 
neither could do wrong. Red was cleaning his rifle, the 
pride of his heart, a wicked-shooting Winchester which 
used the Government cartridge containing seventy grains 
of powder and five hundred grains of lead. With his 
rifle he was as expert as his friend was with the Colt, 
and up to six hundred yards, its limit with accuracy, 
he could do about what he wished with it. 

44 Hullo, you,” said Red, pleasantly. 44 You looks 
peevish.” 

64 An’ you look foolish. What you doing?” 

44 Minding my business.” 

44 Hard work?” sweetly asked Hopalong, carelessly 
seating himself on the small wooden box which lay close 
to his friend. 

44 Hey, you ! ” cried Red, leaping up and hauling him 
away. 44 You bust them sights an’ you’ll be sorry ! 
Ain’t you got no sense? ” 

[ 93 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

' 44 Sights? What are you going to do with ’em? ” 
u Wear ’em ’round my neck for a charm I What’d 
you reckon I’d do with ’em ! ” 

“ Didn’t know. I didn’t think you’d put ’em on that 
thing,” Hopalong replied, looking with contempt at 
his friend’s rifle. 44 Honest, you ain’t a-goin’ to put ’em 
on that lead ranch, are you? You’re like th’ Indians — 
want a lot of shots to waste without re-loadin’.” 

44 1 ain’t wasting no shots, an’ I’m going to put 
sights on that lead ranch, too. These old ones are too 
coarse,” Red replied, carefully placing the box out of 
danger. 44 Now you can sit down.” 

44 Thamks; please can I smoke? ” 

Red grunted, pushed down the lever of the rifle, and 
began to re-assemble the parts, his friend watching the 
operation. When Red tried to slip the barrel into its 
socket Hopalong laughed and told him to first draw out 
the magazine, if he wanted to have any success. 

The line foreman took a cartridge from the pile on 
the bench and compared it with one which he took from 
his belt, a huge, 45-caliber Sharps special, shooting five 
hundred and fifty grains of lead with one hundred and 
, twenty grains of powder out of a shell over three inches 
long; a cartridge which shot with terrific force and for 
a great distance, the weight of the large ball assuring 
accuracy at long ranges. Reside this four-inch car- 
tridge the Government ammunition appeared dwarfed. 

44 When are you going to wean yoreself from popping 
these musket caps, Red? ” he asked, tossing the smaller 
cartridge away and putting his own back in his belt. 
£94] 


On the Peak 

“ Well, you’ve got gall ! ” snorted Red, going out 
for his cartridge. Returning with it he vent back to 
work on his gun, his friend laughing at his clumsy 
fingers. 

“ Yore fingers are all thumbs, an’ sore at that.” 

“ Never mind my fingers. Have you seen Johnny 
around? ” 

“Yes; he was watching one of them new H2 Greasers. 
He’ll go off th’ handle one of these days, for he hates 
Greasers worse’n I do, an 5 that coffee face’ll drive him 
to gun-play. He reminds me a whole lot of a bull-pup 
chained with a corral-ful of cats when there’s Greasers 
around.” 

Red laughed and nodded. “Where’s Lanky?” 

“ Johnny said he was at Number Four fixin’ that 
saddle again. He ain’t done nothin’ for th’ last month 
but fix it. Purty soon there won’t be none of it left to 
fix.” 

“ There certainly won’t ! ” # 

“ His saddle an’ yore gun make a good pair.” 

“ Let up about the gun. You can’t say nothin’ more 
about it without repeatin’ yoreself.” 

“ It’s a sawed-off carbine. I’d ruther have a Spencer 
any day.” 

“ You remind me a whole lot of a feller I once 
knowed,” Red retorted. 

“That so?” asked Hopalong, suspiciously. “Was 
he so nice? ” 

“No; he was a fool,” Red responded, going into the 
house. 


[ 95 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

44 Then that’s where you got it, for they say it’s 
catching.” 

Red stuck his head out of the door. 44 On second 
thought you remind me of another feller.” 

44 You must ’a knowed some good people.” 

44 An’ he was a liar.” 

44 Hullo, Hop Wah!” came from the edge of the 
hilltop and Hopalong wheeled to see Skinny Thompson 
approaching. 

44 What you doing?” Skinny asked, using his stock 
question for beginning a conversation. 

44 Painting white spots on pink elephants ! ” 

44 Where’s Red? ” 

44 In th’ shack, rubbin’ em off again.” 

44 Johnny chased that Greaser off’n th’ ranch,” Skinny 
offered, grinning. 

44 Good for him! ” cried Hopalong. 

44 Johnny’s all right — here comes Buck,” Red said, 
coming out of the house. 44 Johnny’s with him, too. 
Hullo, Kid!” 

44 Hullo, Brick-top ! ” retorted Johnny, who did not 
like his nickname. No one treated him as anything 
but a boy and he resented it at times. 

44 Did he chase you far?” Hopalong queried. 

44 I’d like to see anybody chase me ! ” 

Buck smiled. 44 How are things down here?” 

Hopalong related what had occurred and the fore- 
man nodded. 44 I’m going down to see Meeker — he’s 
th’ only man who can tell me what we’re to look for. I 
don’t want to keep so many men down here. Frenchy 
[ 96 ] 


On the Peak 

has got all he can handle, an’ I want somebody up in 
Two. So long.” 

44 Let me an’ Red go with you, Buck,” cried Hopa- 
long. 

44 Me, too ! ” exclaimed Johnny, excitedly. 

44 You stay home, an’ don’t worry about me,” replied 
the foreman, riding off. 

44 1 don’t like to see him go alone,” Hopalong mut- 
tered. 44 He may get a raw deal down there. But if 
he does we’ll wipe ’em off’n th’ earth.” 

44 Mamma! Look there!” softly cried Johnny, star- 
ing towards the other side of the plateau, where Mary 
Meeker rode past. Red and Skinny were astonished 
and Johnny and Hopalong pretended to be; but all 
removed their sombreros while she remained in sight. 
Johnny was watching Hopalong’s face, but when Red 
glanced around he was staring over the hill. 

44 Gosh, ain’t she a ripper ! ” he exclaimed softly. 

44 She is,” admitted Skinny. 44 She shore is.” 

Hopalong rubbed his nose reflectively and turned to 
Red. 44 Did you ever notice how pretty a freckle is? ” 

Red stared, for he had only toleration for the fair 
sex, and his friend continued: 

44 Take a purty girl an’ stick a freckle on her nose 
an’ it sort of takes yore breath.” 

Red grinned. 44 1 ain’t never took a purty girl an’ 
stuck a freckle on her nose, so I can’t say.” 

Hopalong flushed at the laughter and Skinny cried { 
joyously: 44 She’s got two of us already! Meeker’s 
got us licked if he’ll let her show herself once in a while. 
7 [971 


Hopalong Cassidy 

Oh, these young fellers ! Nothing can rope ’em so quick 
as a female, an’ tli’ purtier she is th’ quicker she can 
do it.” 

A warning light came into Hopalong’s eyes. 44 No- 
body in this outfit’ll go back on Buck for all th’ purty 
women in th’ world ! ” 

44 Good boy ! ” thought Johnny. 

44 We’ve got to watch th’ Kid, just th’ same,” laughed 
Skinny. 

44 I’ll knock yore head off! ” cried Johnny. “ You’re 
sore ’cause you know you ain’t got no chance with 
women while me an’ Hoppy are around ! ” 

Red looked critically at Hopalong and snickered. 
64 If we’ve got to look like him to catch th’ women, 
thank God we don’t want ’em ! ” 

44 Is that so ! ” retorted Hopalong. 

44 Say,” drawled Skinny. 44 Wouldn’t th’ Kid look 
nice hobbled with matrimony? That is, after he grows 
up.” 

44 You go to th’ devil! ” 

44 Gee, Kid, you look bloodthirsty,” laughed Red. 
44 You can fool them Greasers easy if you looks like 
that.” 

44 You go to,” Johnny retorted, swinging into the i 
saddle. 44 I’m going along th’ line to see what’s loose.” 

44 I’ll lick you when I see you again ! ” shouted Red, 
grinning. 

J ohnny turned and twirled his fingers at his red-haired 
friend. 44 Yah, you ain’t man enough!” 

[981 


On the Peak 

“Johnny’s gettin’ more hungry for a fight every 
day,” Hopalong remarked. 44 He’s itching for one.” 

44 So was you a few years back, an’ you ain’t changed 
none,” replied Red. 44 You used to ride around looking 
for fights.” 

44 To hear you talk, anybody’d think you was a Angel 
of Peace,” Hopalong retorted. 

44 One’s as bad as th’ other, so shut up,” Skinny re^ 
narked, going into the house for a drink. 


[993 


' 


CHAPTER X 


BUCK VISITS MEEKER 

A S Buck rode south he went over the boundary 
trouble in all its phases, and the more he 
thought about it the firmer his resolution 
grew to hold the line at any cost. Pie had gone to 
great expense and labor to improve the water suppfy in 
the valley and he saw no reason why the H2 could not 
do the same ; and to him an agreement was an agreement, 
and ran with the land. What Meeker thought about 
it was not the question — the point at issue was whether 
or not the H£ could take the line and use the valley, 
and if they could they were welcome to it. 

But while there was any possibility for a peaceable 
settlement it would be foolish to start fighting, for one 
range war had spread to alarming proportions and had 
been costly to life and property. Then there was the 
certainty that once war had begun, rustling would de- 
velop. But, be the consequences what they might, he 
would fight to the last to hold that which was rightfully 
his. He was not going to Meeker to beg a compromise, 
or to beg him to let the valley alone; he was riding tc. 
[ 100 ] 


Buck Visits Meeker 

tell the H2 foreman what he could expect if he forced 
matters. 

When he rode past the H2 corrals he was curiously 
regarded by a group of punchers who lounged near 
them, and he went straight up to them without heeding 
their frowns. 

66 Is Meeker here? ” 

66 No, he ain’t here,” replied Curley, who was regarded 
by his companions as being something of a humorist. 

“ Where is he?” 

“ Since you asks, I reckon he’s in th’ bunk house,” 
Curley replied. “ Where he ought to be,” he added, 
pointedly, while his companions grinned. 

“ That’s wise,” responded Buck. “ He ought to stay 
there more often. I hope his cows will take after him. 
Much obliged for th’ information,” he finished, rid- 
ing on. 

“ His cows an’ his punchers ’ll do as they wants,” 
asserted Curley, frowning. 

“ Excuse me. I reckoned he was boss around here,” 
Buck apologized, a grim smile playing about his lips. 
“ But you better change that 6 will ’ to 6 won’t ’ when 
you mean th’ valley.” 

44 1 mean will! ” Curley retorted, leaping- to his feet. 
“ An’ what’s more, I ain’t through with that game laig 
puncher of yourn, neither.” 

Buck laughed and rode forward again. “ You have 
my sympathy, then,” he called over his shoulder. 

Buck stopped before the bunk house and called out, 

£ 101 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

and in response to his hail Jim Meeker came and stood 
in the door. 

The H2 foreman believed he was right, and he was 
too obstinate to admit that there was any side but his 
which should be considered. He wanted water ai»d bet- 
ter grass, and both were close at hand. Where he had 
been raised there had been no boundaries, for it had 
been free grass and water, and he would not and could 
not see that it was any different on his new range. He 
had made no agreement, and if one had been made 
it did not concern him ; it concerned only those who had 
made it. He did not buy the ranch from the old own- 
ers, but from a syndicate, and there had been nothing 
said about lines or restrictions. .When he made any 
agreements he lived up to them, but he did not propose 
to observe those made by others. 

44 How’dy, Meeker,” said Buck, nodding. 

44 How’dy, Peters; come in? ” 

44 1 reckon it ain’t worth while. I won’t stay long,” 
Buck replied. 44 1 came down to tell you that some of 
yore cows are crossing our line. They’re gettin’ worse 
every day.” 

44 That so ? ” asked Meeker, carelessly. 

44 Yes.” 

44 Um ; well, what’s th’ reason they shouldn’t ? An’ 
what is that 4 line,’ that we shouldn’t go over it? ” 

44 Dawson, th’ old foreman of th’ Three Triangle, 
told you all about that,” Buck replied, his whole mind 
given to the task of reading what sort of a man he had 
to deal with. 44 It’s our boundary ; an’ yourn.” 

[ 102 ] 


Buck Visits Meeker 

**Yes? But I don’t recognize no boundary. What 
have they got to do with me? ” 

“ It has this much, whether you recognize it or not : 
it marks th’ north limit of yore grazin’. We don’t 
cross it.” 

“ Huh l You don’t have to, while you’ve got that 
crick.” 

“We won’t have th’ crick, nor th’ grass, either, if 
you drive yore cows on us. That valley is our best 
grazing, an’ it ain’t in th’ agreement that you can eat 
it all off.” 

“ What agreement? ” 

“ I didn’t come down here to tell you what you 
know,” Buck replied, slowly. “ I came to tell you to 
keep yore Greasers an’ yore cows on yore own side, 
that’s whatever.” 

“ How do you know my cows are over there? ” 

“ How do I know th’ sun is shining ? ” 

“ What do you want me to do? ” Meeker asked, lean- 
ing against the house and grinning. 

“ Hold yore herds where they belong. Of course 
some are shore to stray over, but strays don’t count — 
I ain’t talkin’ about them.” 

“ Well, I’ve punched! a lot of cows in my day,” replied 
Meeker, “ an’ over a lot of range, but I never seen no 
boundary lines afore. An’ nobody ever told me to 
keep on one range, if they knowed me. I’ve run up 
against a wire fence or two in th’ last few years, but 
they didn’t last long when I hit ’em.” 

“ If you want to know what a boundary line looks 

r. 103 1 


Hopalong Cassidy 

like I can show you. There’s a plain trail along it 
where my men have rode for years.” 

44 So you say ; but I’ve got to have water.” 

44 You’ve got it; twenty miles of river. An’ if you’ll 
put down a well or two th’ Jumping Bear won’t go 
dry.” 

44 1 don’t know nothing about wells,” Meeker replied. 
44 Natural water’s good enough for me without fooling 
with wet holes in th’ ground.” 

44 No; but, by G — d, yo’re willin’ enough to use them 
what / put down! Do you think I spent good time an’ 
money just to supply you with water? Why don’t 
you get yore own, ’stead of hoggin’ mine ! ” 

44 There’s water enough, an’ it ain’t youra, neither.” 

44 It’s mine till somebody takes it away from me, an’ 
you can gamble on that.” 

44 Oh, I reckon you’ll share it.” 

44 1 reckon I won’t ! ” Buck retorted. 44 Look here ; 
my men have held that range for many years against 
all kinds of propositions an’ didn’t get pushed into th’ 
discard once; an’ they’ll go right on holding it. Hell 
has busted loose down here purty often during that 
time, but we’ve alius roped an’ branded it; an’ we 
hain’t forgot how ! ” 

44 Well, I don’t want no trouble, but I’ve got to use 
that water, an’ my men are some hard to handle.” 

44 You’ll find mine worse to handle before you gets 
through,” Buck rejoined. 44 They’re restless now, an* 
once they start, all h — 1 can’t stop ’em.” Meeker 

r. 104 ] 


Buck Visits Meeker 

started to reply, but Buck gave him no chance. 44 Do 
you know why I haven’t driven you back by force? It 
wasn’t because I figgered on what you'd do. It was 
on account of th’ rustling that’ll blossom on this range 
just as soon as we get too busy to watch things. That’s 
why, but if 3 ^ 0 ’re willing to take a chance with cow 
thieves, I am.” 

44 I’m willing. I’ve got to have water on my north- 
west corner,” Meeker replied. 44 An’ I’m going to have 
it! If my cows get on yore private reservation, it’s 
up to you to drive ’em off ; but I wouldn’t be none hasty 
doing it if I was you. You see, my men are plumb 
touchy.” 

44 That’s final, is it ? ” 

44 1 ain’t never swallered nothing I ever said.” 

44 All right. I can draw on forty men to fill up 
gaps, an’ I’ll do it before I let any range jumper cheat 
me out of what’s mine. When you buck that line, come 
ready for trouble.” 

44 Yore line’ll burn you before you get through pam- 
pering it,” retorted Meeker, angrily. 

44 So? We’ll pamper anybody that tries to keep us 
from pampering our line. If there are any burns 
they’ll not be salved in our bunk house. So long.” 

Meeker laughed, stretched, and slipped his thumbs in 
the arm-holes of his vest, watching the Bar-20 foreman 
ride away. Then he frowned and snapped his fingers 
angrily. 44 We’ll keep you busy on yore 4 line ’ when 
I get ready to play th’ cards I’m looking for ! ” he 
[105] 


Kopalong Cassidy 

exclaimed. 44 Th’ gall of him ! Telling me I can’t 
pasture where I wants ! By G — d, I’ll be told I’m using 
his sunlight an’ breathing his air ! ” 

He stepped forward. 44 Curley! Chick! Dan!” 

A moment later the three men stood before him. 

44 What is it, Jim? ” asked Curley. 

44 You fellers drive north to-morrow. Pick up th’ 
stragglers an’ herd ’em close to that infernal line. 
Don’t drive ’em over till I tell you, but don’t let none 
stray south again ; savvy ? If they want to stray north 
it’s none of our business.” 

44 Good!” 

44 Fine!” 

44 That’s th’ way to talk ! ” 

44 Don’t start nothing, but if trouble comes yore way 
take care of yoreselves,” Meeker remarked. 44 I’m tell 
ing you to herd up on our north range, that’s all.” 

44 Shore ; we’ll do it ! ” laughed Curley. 

44 Is that house on th’ peak guarded? ” Meeker asked. 

44 Somebody’s there most of th’ time,” replied Dan 
Morgan. 

44 Yes ; it’s their bunk house now,” explained Chick- 

44 All right ; don’t forget to-morrow.” 


no6i 


CHAPTER XI 


THREE IS A CROWD 


W IEN Buck reached the line on his return 
Hopalong was the first man he met and his 
orders were to the point : 44 Hold this line 

till h — 1 freezes, drive all H2 cows across it, an’ don’t 
start a fight ; but be shore to finish any that zephyrs up. 
Keep yore eyes open.” 

Hopalong grinned and replied that he would hold 
che line that long and then skate on the ice, that any 
cow found trying to cross would get indignant, and 
diat he and trouble were old friends. Buck laughed 
and rode on. 

44 Red Eagle, old cayuse ! ” cried the line rider, slap- 
ping the animal resoundingly. 44 We’re shore ready!” 
And Red Eagle, to show how ready he was to resent 
such stinging familiarities, pitched viciously and bit at 
his rider’s leg. 

44 Hit her up, old devil ! ” yelled Hopalong, grabbing 
his sombrero and applying the spurs. Red Eagle set- 
tled back to earth and then shot forward at top speed 
along the line trail, bucking as often as he could. 

It was not long before Hopalong saw a small herd 

[ 107 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

of H2 cows on Bar-20 land and he rode off to head them. 
When he got in front of the herd he wheeled and dashed 
straight at it, yelling and firing his Colt, the horse 
squealing and pitching at every jump. 

46 Ki-yi, yeow-eow-eow-eow ! 55 he yelled, and the herd, 
terror-stricken, wheeled and dashed towards their ranch. 
He followed to the line and saw them meet and terrorize 
another herd, and he gleefully cried that it would be a 
44 shore ’nuf stampede. 55 

44 Look at ’em go, old Skyrocket, 55 he laughed. The 
horse began to pitch again but he soon convinced it 
that play time had passed. 

44 You old, ugly wart of a cayuse! 55 he cried, fighting 
it viciously as it reared and plunged and bit. 44 Don’t 
you know I can lick four like you an 5 not touch leather ! 
There, that’s better. If you bite me again I’ll kick 
yore corrugations in! But we made ’em hit th 5 high 
trail, didn’t we, old hinge-back ? 55 

He looked up and stiffened, feeling so foolish that he 
hardly knew enough to tear off his sombrero, for before 
him, sitting quietly in her saddle and looking clean 
through him, was Mary Meeker, a contemptuous firm- 
ness about her lips. 

u Good-afternoon, Miss Meeker,” he said, wondering 
how much she had seen and heard. 

44 I’ll not spoil yore fun,” she icily replied, riding 
away. 

He stared after her until she had ridden around a 
chaparral and out of his sight, and he slammed his som- 
brero on the ground and swore. 

[ 108 ] 


Three Is a Crowd 

“D— n th’ luck!” 

Then he spurred to overtake her and when he saw her 
again she was talking to Antonio, who was all smiles. 

“Coffee-colored galoot!” Hopalong muttered, sav- 
agely. “ I’ll spill him all over hisself some day, th’ 
squint-eyed mud-image ! Th’ devil with him, if he 
don’t like my company he can amble.” 

He swept up to them, his hair stirred by the breeze 
and his right hand resting on the butt of his Colt. An- 
tonio was talking when he arrived, but he had no regard 
for “ Greasers ” and interrupted without loss of time. 

“ Miss Meeker,” he began, backing his horse so he 
could watch the Mexican. “ I shore hope you ain’t 
mad. Are you? ” 

She looked at him coldly, and her companion mut- 
tered something in Spanish; and found Hopalong’s 
eyes looking into his soul, which hushed the Spanish. 

“ You talk United States if you’ve got anything to 
say, which you ain’t,” Hopalong commanded and then 
turned to the woman. “ I’m shore sorry you heard 
me. I didn’t think you was anywhere around.” 

“ Which accounts for you terrorizing our cows an’ 
calves,” she retorted. “ An’ for trying to start a stam- 
pede.” 

Antonio stiffened at this, but did nothing because 
Hopalong was watching him. 

“You ought to be ashamed of yoreself!” she cried, 
her eyes flashing and deep color surging into her cheeks. 
“ You had no right to treat them calves that way, or 
to start a stampede ! ” 


[ 109 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ I didn’t try to start no stampede, Honest,” he re- 
plied, fascinated by the color playing across her face. 

“You did!” she insisted, vehemently. “ You may t 
think it’s funny to scare calves, but it ain’t ! ” 

“ I was in a hurry,” he replied, apologetically. “ I 
shore didn’t think nothing about th’ calves. They was 
lover on us an’ I had to drive ’em back before I went 
’on” 

“ You have no right to drive ’em back,” she retorted. 

“ They have every right to graze where th’ grass is 
good an’ where they can get water. They can’t live 
without water.” 

“ They shore can’t,” he replied in swift accord, as if 
the needs of cattle had never before crossed his mind. 

“ But they can get it at th’ river.” 

“You have no right to drive ’em away from it!” 

“ I ain’t going to argue none with you, Miss,” he re- 
sponded. “ My orders are to drive ’em back, which 
I’ll do.” 

“ Do you mean to tell me that you’ll keep them from 
water? ” she demanded, her eyes flashing again. 

“It ain’t my fault that yore men don’t hold ’em 
closer to th’ river,” he replied. “ There’s water a-plenty 
there. Yore father’s keeping ’em on a dry range.” 

“ Don’t say anything about my father,” she angrily 
retorted. “ He knows his business better’n you can tell 
it to him.” 

“ !’ m sorry if I’ve gone an’ said anything to make 
you mad,” he earnestly replied. “I just wanted to 
[ 110 ] 


Three Is a Crowd 

show you that I’m only obeying orders. I don’t want 
to argue with you.” 

“ 1 didn’t come here to argue,” she quickly retorted. 
44 1 don’t want you to drive our calves so hard, that’s 
all.” 

44 I’ll be plumb tender with ’em,” he assured her, grin- 
ning. 44 An’ I didn’t try to scare that other herd, hon- 
est.” 

44 1 saw you trying to scare them just before you 
saw me.” 

44 Oh ! ” he exclaimed, chuckling as he recalled his 
fight w'ith Red Eagle. 44 That was all th’ fault of this 
Ornery cayuse. He got th’ idea into his fool head that 
he could throw me, so me an’ him had it out right 
there.” 

She had been watching his face while he spoke and 
she remembered that he had fought with his horse, and 
believed that he was telling the truth. Then, suddenly, 
the humorous side struck her and brought a smile to 
her face. 44 I’m sorry I didn’t understand,” she replied 
in a low voice. 

44 Then you ain’t mad no more? ” he asked eagerly. 

44 No ; not a bit.” 

44 I’m glad of that,” he laughed, leaning forward. 
44 You had me plumb scared to death.” 

44 1 didn’t know I could scare a puncher so easy, 
’specially you,” she replied, flushing. 44 But where’s 
yore sombrero? ” 

44 Back where I throwed it,” he grinned. 

c in] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ Where you threw it ? ” 

<4 Shore. I got sore when you rode away, an’ didn’t 
care much what happened,” he replied, coolly. Then 
he transfixed the Mexican with his keen eyes. 44 If yo’re 
so anxious to get that gun out, say so or do it,” he said, 
slowly. 44 That’s th’ second time.” 

Mary watched them breathlessly, but Hopalong 
didn’t intend to have any fighting in her presence. 

44 You let it alone before I take it away from you,” 
he said. 44 An’ I reckon you better pull out — you 
ain’t needed around here. Go on, flit ! ” 

Antonio glanced at Mary for orders and she nodded 
her head. 44 1 don’t need you ; go.” 

Hopalong watched him depart and turned to his com- 
panion. 44 What’s eating him, anyhow? ” 

44 1 don’t know. I never saw him act that way be- 
fore.” 

44 H’m. I reckon I know ; but he don’t want to act 
that way again,” he said, decisively. 44 Greasers are 
shore funny animals.” 

44 All men are funny,” she replied. 44 Th’ idea of 
being scared by me when you ain’t afraid of a man 
like him.” 

44 That’s a different kind of a scare, an’ I never felt 
like that before. It made me want to kill somebody. 
I don’t want you to get mad at me. I like you too 
much. You won’t, will you?” 

She smiled. 44 No.” 

44 Never? No matter what happens?” 

44 Do you care? ” 


[ 112 1 


Three Is a Crowd 

“ Do I care ! You know I do. Look at me, Mary ! ” 

“No; don’t come any nearer. I must go — good- 
bye.” 

“ Don’t go; let’s ride around for a while.” 

“But ’Tony may tell Dad; an’ if he does Dad’ll 
come up here an’ make trouble. No, I must go.” 

“ Tell ’Tony I want to see him,” he replied. “ If 
he says anything I’ll make him pay for it ; an’ he won’t 
do it again.” 

“You mustn’t do that! It would make things all 
th’ worse.” 

“ Will you come up again to-morrow? ” 

She laughed. “That’ll be too soon, won’t it? ” 

“ Not by a blamed sight.” 

“ Well, I don’t know. Good-bye.” 

“ Good-b3 r e,” he said, holding out his hand. 

She gave him her hand and then tried to push him 
away. “ No, no! No, I say! I won’t come any more 
if you do that ! ” 

Despite her struggles he drew her to him and kissed 
her again and again. 

“ I hate you! I hate you!” she cried, her face the 
color of fire. “What made you do it! You’ve spoiled 
everything, an’ I’ll never see you again ! I hate you ! ” 
and she wheeled and galloped away. 

He spurred in pursuit and when he had overtaken 
her he grasped her horse by the bridle and stopped her. 
“ Mary ! Don’t be mad — I love you ! ” 

“ Will you let me go? ” she demanded, her face crim- 
son. 


8 


[ H3] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ Not till you say yo’re not mad.” 

“ Please let me go,” she replied, looking in his eyes* 
“ I’m not mad at you ; but you mustn’t do that again. 
Won’t you let me go before some one sees us? ” 

He released her and she impulsively put her hand 
on his arm. “ Look out — an’ watch ’Tony,” and she 
was gone. 

“ Yo’re th’ best girl ever rode a cay use,” he muttered, 
joyously. “ 4 Look out — an’ watch ’Tony,’” he 
cried. “ What do I care about that Greaser? I can 
clean out th’ whole gang now. Just let ’em start some' 
thing.” 

When he neared the place where his sombrero lay he 
saw Johnny in the act of picking it up, and Johnny 
might take a notion to make a race out of it before 
giving it up. “ Hey, you ! ” Hopalong cried, dashing 
forward, “ gimme that cover! ” 

“ Come an’ get it; I don’t want it,” Johnny retorted. 
“ What made you lose it ? ” 

“ Fighting.” 

“ Fighting! Fighting who? ” 

“ Just fighting, Kid.” 

“Ah, come on an’ tell me,” begged Johnny. The**-, 
like a shot: “ Was it that Greaser? ” 

“ Nope.” 

“Who was it?” 

“ None of yore business,” laughed Hopalong, de- 
lighted to be able to tease him. 

“All right!” Johnny cried. “You wait; th’ boys 
will be glad to learn about } r ou an’ her ! ” 

[ 114 ] 


Three Is a Crowd 

ig’s hand shot out and gripped his friend’s 
“ Don’t you say a word about it, do you 

I was only fooling,” replied Johnny, 
tell them kind of things! Yo’re a big fool, 

too quick, Kid. I know yo’re a thorough- 
’ now I’ll tell you who I was fighting. It 
Eagle. He got a fit of pitching, an’ I had 
out of him.” 

ht ’a knowed it,” responded Johnny, eying 
in the sand. 44 But I reckoned you might 
’a had a run-in with that Greaser. I was saving him 
for myself.” 

44 Why do you hate him so much more’n th’ other 
Greasers ? ” 

44 Never mind that now. I’ll tell you after I get 
him.” 

44 Have you seen Buck since he came back? ” 

44 No ; why? ” 

Hopalong told him what the foreman had said and 
his friend grinned. 44 The good old days are coming 
back again, Hoppy ! ” he exulted. 44 Now I can kick 
th’ shirt ofPn that Greaser, can’t I, if he gets gay?” 

44 If he don’t kick youm off first.” 

44 I’d like to see him try it ; or you, either ! Mebbe 
you’d like to try it now ? ” 

44 Shoo, fiy ! Shoo, fly,” laughed Hopalong. 

44 Where are you going now?” asked Johnny. 

44 Where I please.” 


[ 115 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

44 Shore. I knowed that. That’s where you want 
to go,” grinned Johnny. 44 But where do you want 
to go? ” 

44 Where I can’t go now.” 

44 Ah, shut up ! Come on. I’ll go with you.” 

44 Well, I’m going east to tell th’ fellers what Buck 
said.” 

44 Go ahead. I’m with you,” J ohnny said, wh cling. 

44 I didn’t ask you to come.” 

44 1 didn’t ask you to go,” retorted Johnny. 44 Here,” 
he said, holding out a cigar and putting another in his 
mouth. 44 Have a smoke ; they’re all right.” 

44 Where the devil did you get ’em ? ” 

44 Up in Number Five.” 

44 In Number Five ! ” 

44 Shore. Frenchy, th’ son-o’-a-gun, had three of ’em 
hid over th’ windy,” Johnny explained. 44 I hooked 
’em.” 

44 So I reckoned ; did you take ’em all ? ” 

44 Was you going up? ” 

44 No; but did you? ” 

44 Well, I looked good, but I didn’t see none to leave.” 

44 You wait till he finds it out,” Hopalong warned. 

44 He won’t do nothing,” assured Johnny, easily. 
44 Anyhow, yo’re as guilty as me. He ain’t got no 
right to cache cigars when we can’t get to town for 
any. Besides, he’s afraid of me.” 

44 Scared of you ! Oh, Lord, that’s good ! ” 

44 Quit fooling an’ get started,” Johnny said, kicking 
his friend’s horse. 


[H6] 


Three Is a Crowd 

“ You behave, or I’ll get that Greaser to lick you 
good,” threatened Hopalong as he quieted Red Eagle. 

44 Huh! He don’t like fights.” 

44 How do you know ? ” 

66 Because my grub is his poison ; get a-going.” 

They cantered eastward, driving back Meeker’s cows 
whene er they were found too close to the line or over 
it, anc( it was not long before they made out Lanky 
riding towards them. He had not yet seen them and 
Johnny eagerly proposed that they prepare an ambush 
and scare him. 

44 He don’t scare, you fool,” replied Hopalong. 44 A 
joke is a joke, but there ain’t no use getting shot at 
when you can’t shoot back. No use getting killed for 
a lark.” 

46 He might shoot, mightn’t he,” Johnny laughed. 
44 1 didn’t think about that.” 

Lanky looked around, waved his hand and soon joined 
them. 44 1 see yo’re taking care of th’ Kid, Hopalong. 
Hullo, Kid.” 

44 Go to blazes ! ” snorted Johnny. 

44 Has he been a good boy, Hoppy ? ” 

44 No more’n usual. He’s looking for Antonio.” 

44 Again? ” asked Lanky, grinning. 44 Ain’t you 
found him yet P ” 

44 Ah, go on. I’ll find him when I want him,” Johnny 
retorted. 

When Lanky had heard Buck’s orders he frowned. 

44 We’ll hold it all right. Wait for Billy, he’ll ba 
along purty soon. I left him chasing some cows.” 

[ 117 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

44 Got yore saddle so it’ll stay together for more’n 
ten minutes at a time? ” asked Johnny. 

44 I bought Billy’s old one,” Lanky replied. 44 Got 
anything to say about it? ” 

Billy Williams, pessimist by nature and choice, rode 
up and joined them and, laughing and joking, they 
rode towards the Peak, to see if Buck had any further 
orders. But they had not gone far before Hopalong 
stopped and thought. 44 You go on. I’ll stay out here 
an’ watch things.” 

46 I’m with you, Hoppy,” Johnny offered. “You 
fellers go on; me an’ Hopalong’ll take care of th’ line 
out here.” 

44 All right,” replied Lanky. 44 So long.” 

A few minutes later Johnny turned in his saddle. 
44 Hey, Billy ! ” he shouted. 

44 What?” 

44 Has Lanky paid you for that saddle, yet? ” 

44 Shore ; why ? ” 

44 Oh, nothing. But yo’re lucky.” 

Billy turned and said something to Lanky and they 
cantered on their way. 

44 Hey, Hoppy; don’t you tell Frenchy about them 
cigars,” Johnny suddenly remarked some tim^ later. 


[1181 


CHAPTER XII 


HOBBLE BURNS AND SLEEPERS 

T HE western part of the Bar-20 ranch was poof 
range and but few cattle were to be found on 
it until Big Coulee had been reached. This 
portion of the ranch fed quite a large number of cattle, 
many of which were outlaws, but because of the heavy 
work demanded on the more fertile southern and eastern 
sections it was the custom with Buck to pay little at- 
tention to the Big Coulee herds; if a man rode up 
there once in a while he was satisfied. This time it was 
Skinny who was to look over the condition of affairs 
around Number Two, which was not far from Big 
Coulee. 

Detouring here and there he took his own time and 
followed the general direction of the western line, and 
about four hours after he had quitted the Peak he passed 
line house Number Two and shortly afterward stopped 
on the rim of the coulee, a brush-grown depression of a 
score of acres in extent, in which was a pond covering 
half an acre and fed by springs on the bottom, its 
outlet being a deep gorge cut in the soft stone. Half 
[119] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

a mile from the pond the small stream disappeared in 
the sand and was lost. 

He rode through the coulee without seeing a single 
cow and an exploration lasting over an hour resulted 
no better. Beyond a bear track or two among the berry 
bushes he saw no signs of animal life. This did not 
disturb him because he took it for granted that the 
herds had wandered back to where the grass was better. 
Stopping at the line house to eat, he mounted and rode 
towards the hills to report to Hopalong. 

Suddenly it struck him that he had seen no cow 
tracks in the mud around' the water hole and he began 
to hunt for cattle. Using Pete’s glasses constantly to 
sweep the plain for the missing herds, it was not until 
he had reached a point half-way to the Peak that his 
search was rewarded by seeing a calf far to the east 
of him. Watching it until it stood out boldly to his 
sight, he followed an impulse and rode towards it to 
examine it at close range. 

Upon getting near it he saw that it bore the V notch 
of the H2 cut in its ear, and that it was not branded. 
He thought it strange that an H2 “ sleeper ” should 
be so far from home, without a mother to lead it astray, 
and he roped it to look more closely at the notch. His 
opinion was that it had been done very recently, for 
the cartilage had not yet dried on the edges. Releas- 
ing the animal he mounted and started for the line, 
muttering to himself. 

As he swung into the line trail he saw a lame cow 
limping around a thicket and he spurred forward, roped 
[ 120 ] 


Hobble Burns and Sleepers 

and threw it, this time giving no thought to the ears, 
for its brand was that of the Bar-20. He looked at 
the hocks and found them swollen and inflamed, and his 
experience told him that it had been done by hobbles. 
This, to him, explained why the calf was alone, and it 
gave him the choice of two explanations for the hob- 
bling and the newly cut ear notch on the calf. Either 
the H2 w r as sleepering Bar-20 calves for their irons 
later on, or rustlers were at work. It seemed incred- 
ible that any H2 puncher should come that distance 
to make a few sleepers — but the herd had not been 
to the water hole! He was greatly wrought up and 
it was none the more pleasant to be unable to say 
where the blame lay. There was only one thing to 
do and that was to scout around and try to find' a 

clue to the perpetrators and, perhaps, catch the 

thieves at work. This proved to be unfruitful until 
he came to North Hill, where he found a cow dead from 
gunshot. He put spurs to his horse and rode straight 
for the Peak, which he reached as night fell and as 
Hopalong, Bed, Pete, and Lanky were eating supper 
and debating the line conditions. 

Skinny joined them and listened to the conversation, 
wordless, nodding or shaking his head at the points 
made. When he had finished eating he leaned back 
against his saddle and fumbled for tobacco and pipe, 
gazing reflectively into the fire, at which he spat. 
Hopalong turned in time to see the act and, knowing 
Skinny’s peculiarities, asked abruptly : “ What’s on 

yore mind, Skinny ? ” 


[ 121 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

u Little piece of h — 1,” was the slow reply, and it 
gained the attention of the others at once. 44 I saw a 
H£ sleeper, up just above th’ Bend and half way be- 
tween it an’ th* line.” 

44 That so ! ” exclaimed Hopalong. 

44 Long way from home — starting in young to ram- 
ble,” Red laughed. 46 Lazy trick, that sleepering.” 

44 This here calf had a brand new V — hadn’t healed 
yet,” Skinny remarked, lighting his pipe. 44 An’ it 
didn’t — puff — have no — puff — mother,” he added, 
significantly. 

44 Huh, weaned, you chump — but that fresh V is 
shore funny.” 

44 Go on, Skinny,” ordered Hopalong, eagerly. 

44 1 found its mother an hour later — hobble-burned 
an’ limping; an’ it wasn’t no H£ cow, neither; it was 
one of ourn.” 

44 Rustling ! ” cried Hopalong. 

44 Th’ H2 is doing it,” contradicted Red, quickly. 

44 They wouldn’t take a chance like that,” replied 
Hopalong. 

44 There ain’t no rule for taking chances,” Red re- 
joined. 44 Some men’ll gamble with h — 1 itself — you, 
for instance, in gun-play.” 

44 What else? ” demanded Hopalong of Skinny. 

44 That Big Coulee herd ain’t up there, an’ hain’t 
been near th’ water hole for so long th’ mud’s smooth 
around the edges of th’ pond ; kin savvy ? ” 

44 It’s rustlers, by G — d ! ” cried Hopalong, looking 
triumphantly at Red. 


[m] 


Hobble Burns and Sleepers 

u An’ I found a dead cow — shot — on th’ upper 
end of North Hill,” Skinny added. 

“ H2 ! ” Red shouted. 46 They’re doing it ! ” 

“Yes, likely; it was an H2 cow,” Skinny placidly 
explained. 

“ Why in h — 1 can’t you tell things in a herd, ’stead 
of stringin’ ’em out like a stiff reata trailing to soften ! ” 
Red cried. 44 Yo’re the damndest talker that ever 
opened a mouth ! ” 

Skinny took the pipe from his mouth and looked at 
Red. 

44 1 alius get it all out, don’t I ? What are you kick- 
ing about? ” 

44 Yes, you do; like a five thousand herd filtering 
through a two-foot gate!” 

44 Mebby th’ herd drifted to th’ valley,” Pete offered. 

44 Mebby nothing ! ” Red retorted. 44 Why, we can’t 
drive ’em down here without ’em acting loco about it.” 

44 Cows are shore fool animals,” Pete suggested in de- 
fence. 

44 There’s more than cows that are fool animals,” 
Red snapped, while Skinny laughed to see Pete get his 
share. 

Sixteen miles to the southeast of the Peak, Meeker 
sat on a soap box and listened, with the rest of his out- 
fit, to what Curley was saying, — 44 an’ when I got down 
a good ways south I found two young calves bellering 
for their maws. They was sleepers; an’ an hour later 
I found them same maws bellering for them calves — 

r us i 


Hopalong Cassidy 

they was limping a-plenty an’ their hocks looked burned 
— hobble burns.” 

Meeker mused for a moment and then arose. “ You 
ride that range regular, an’ be cautious. Watch to- 
wards Eagle. If you catch any sons-of -skunks gam- 
boling reckless, an’ they can’t explain why they are 
flitting over our range, shoot off yore gun accidental — 
there won’t be no inquest.” 


f 124 J 


CHAPTER XIII 


HOPALONG GROWS SUSPICIOUS 

Y j| ^HE eastern sky grew brighter and the dim morn- 
fl ing light showed a group of men at breakfast 

Ji on the Peak. They already had been given 
their orders and as soon as each man finished eating 
he strode off to where his horse was picketed with the 
others, mounted, and rode away. Pete had ridden in 
late the night before and was still sleeping in the house, 
Hopalong not wishing to awaken him until it was ab- 
solutely necessary. 

Red Connors, riding back to the house from the horse 
herd, drew rein for a final word. “ I’m going out to 
watch that unholy drift of Meeker’s cows, just this side 
of th’ half-way point. They was purty thick last night 
when I rode in. I told Johnny to keep on that part 
of th’ line, for I reckon things will get too crowded for 
one man to handle. Th’ two of us can take care of ’em, 
all right. You knows wdiere you can find us if you 
need us.” 

“ I don’t like that drift, but I’ll stay here an’ give 
Pete an hour more sleep,” Hopalong replied. “ Buck 
[ 125 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

didn’t know just when he’d be down again, but I’m look- 
ing for him before noon, just th’ same.” 

“ Well, me an’ Johnny’ll stop th’ drift. So long,” 
and Red cantered away, whistling softly. 

Hopalong kicked out the fire and walked restlessly 
around the plateau, puzzled by the massing of the H2 
cows along the line. The play was obvious enough on 
its face, for it meant that Meeker, tired of inaction, had 
decided to force the issue by driving into the valley. 
But Hopalong, suspicious to a degree, was not satis>- 
fied with that solution. 

On more than one occasion he had searched past the 
obvious and found deeper motives, and to this ferment 
of thought he owed his life many times. He, himself, 
essentially a schemer and trusting no one but the mem- 
bers of his outfit, accused others of scheming and bent 
his mind to outwit them. Buck often irritated him 
greatly, for the foreman, optimistic and believing all 
men honest until they proved to be otherwise, held that 
Meeker thought himself to be in the right and so was 
justified in his attempt to use the valley. Hopalong 
believed that Meeke* was not square, that he knew he 
had no right to the valley and was trying to steal 
range; he maintained that the wiser way was to be- 
lieve all men crooked and put the burden on them of 
proving otherwise; then he was prepared for anything. 

A better cow-man than Buck Peters never lived; he 
knew the cattle industry thoroughly, was honest, fair, 
and fearless, maintained an even temper and tried to 
avoid fighting until the last ditch had been reached. 

[ 126 ] 


Bopaicng Grows Suspicious 

But it was an indisputable fact that Hopalong Cassidy 
had proved himself to be the best man on the ranch 
when danger threatened. He grasped situations quickly 
and clearly and his companions looked to him for sug- 
gestions when the sky was clouded by impending con- 
flict. Buck realized that his line-foreman was eminently 
better qualified to handle the skirmish line than himself, 
that Hopalong could carry out things which would fall 
flat if any one else attempted them. Back of Buck’s 
confidence was the pleasing knowledge that no man had 
ever yet got in the first shot against Hopalong on an 
<fi even break,” and that when his puncher’s gun ex* 
ploded it was all over; this is why Hopalong could, sin* 
gle-handed, win out in any reasonable situation. 

While Hopalong turned the matter over in his mind 
he thought he saw a figure move among the chaparrals 
far to the south and he whipped out his glasses, peer- 
ing long and steadily at the place. Then he put them 
aw r ay and laughed softly. “ You can’t fool me, by 
G — d ! I’ll let you make yore play — an’ if Pete don’t 
kill a few of you I’m a liar. Here are th’ shells — pick 
out th’ pea.” 

Returning to the house he shook Pete. “ Hey, get 
up ! ” 

Pete bounded up, wdde awake in an instant. “ Yes? ” 

“ Put on yore clothes an’ come outside a minute,” 
i he ordered, going out. 

Pete finished buttoning his vest when he joined his 
friend, who was pointing south. 44 Pete, they’re play- 
ing for this house, an’ I can’t stay — Red an’ Johnny 

[12 7 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

may need me any minute. Down there a Greaser is 
watching this house. Meeker is massing his cows along 
th’ line for two reasons; he’s trying to draw us away 
from here so he can get in, an’ he’s going to push over 
th’ line if he falls down here. You stay in that shack. 
Don’t leave it for a second, understand? Stop anybody 
that comes up here if you have to kill him. But don’t 
leave this house for nothing, savvy ? ” 

“ Go ahead. I savvy.” 

Hopalong vaulted to his saddle and started away. 
“ I’ll get somebody to help you as soon as I can,” he 
called. 

“ Don’t need anybody ! ” Pete shouted, going inside 
and barring the door. 

Hopalong was elated by the way he had forestalled 
Meeker, and also because it was Pete who guarded the 
house. He knew his companions only as a man can 
know friends with whom he has lived for nearly a score 
of years. Red was too good a fighter to be cooped up 
while trouble threatened in the open ; Johnny, rash and 
hot-tempered, could be tempted to leave the house to 
indulge in personal combat if taunted enough, and l?e, 
too, was too good a man in a melee to remain on the 
Peak. The man for the house was Pete, for he was 
accurate enough for that short range, he was unemo- 
tional and did not do much thinking for himself when it 
ran counter to his instructions; he had been told to 
stay in the house and hold it, and that, Hopalong felt 
certain, he would do. 


[ 128 ] 


Hopalong Grows Suspicious 

66 Pete’ll hold ’em with one leg in th’ air if they hap- 
pen to be taking a step when he sees ’em” he laughed. 

But Pete was to be confronted with a situation so un- 
expected and of such a nature that for once in his life 
he was going to forget orders — and small blame to him. 


. [ 129 1 


CHAPTER XIV 


THE COMPROMISE 

I T was night and on the H2 sickly, yellow lights 
gleamed from the ranch houses. From the bunk 
house came occasional bursts of song, the swing- 
ing choruses thundering out on the night air, deep- 
toned and strong. In the foreman’s quarters the clatter 
of dishes was soon stilled and shortly afterward the light 
in the kitchen could be seen no more. A girl stood in 
the kitchen door for a moment and then, singing, went 
inside and the door closed. The strumming of a guitar 
and much laughter came from Antonio’s shack, for now 
he had Juan and Sanchez to help him pass the time. 

Meeker emerged from a corral, glanced above him for 
signs of the morrow’s weather, and then stood and gazed 
at the Mexican’s shack. Turning abruptly on his heel 
he strode to the bunk house and smiled grimly as the 
chorus roared out, for he had determined upon meas- 
ures which might easily change the merriment to mourn- 
ing before another day passed. He had made up his 
mind to remain inactive no longer, but to put things to 
the test — his outfit and himself against the Bar-20. 
He entered the building and slamming the door shut 
E 130 1 


The Compromise 

behind him, waited until the chorus was finished. When 
the last note died away he issued his orders for the next 
day, orders which pleased his men, who had chafed even 
more than he under the galling inaction, since they did 
not thoroughly understand the reasons for it. 

44 1 had them cows herded up north for th’ last three 
days so they’d be ready for us when we wanted ’em,” 
he said, and then leaped at the door and jerked it open, 
peering about outside. The guitar was still strumming 
in the Mexican’s shack and he recognized the voices of 
three in the singing. Turning, he beckoned Doc Riley 
to him and the two stepped outside, closing the door be- 
hind them. Great noise broke out within the house 
as his orders were repeated and commented on. Meeker 
and Doc moved to the corner of the building and con- 
sulted earnestly for several minutes, the foreman gesticu- 
lating slowly. 

44 But Juan said they had a man to guard it,” Doc 
replied. 

44 Yes; he told me,” Meeker responded. 44 I’m going 
to fix that before I go to bed — we’ve got to coax him 
out on some excuse. Once we get him out of th’ house 
wc can cover him, an’ th’ rest’ll be easy. I won’t be 
able to be with you — I’ll have to stay outside where 
I can move around an’ look out for th’ line trouble, am 
where they can see me. But you an’ Jack can hold it 
once you get in. By G — d, you must get in, an’ you 
must hold it ! ” 

44 We’ll do it if it’s possible.” 

44 That’s th’ way to talk. Th’ boys seem pleased 
[ 131 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

about it,” Meeker laughed, listening to the joy loose in 
the house. 

“ Pleased ! They’re tickled plumb to death,” Doc 
cried. 44 They’ve got so sore about having to keep their 
guns quiet that when they cut loose — well, something’s 
due to happen.” 

44 I don’t want that if there’s any other way,” Meeker 
replied earnestly. 44 If this thing can be done without 
wholesale slaughter we’ve got to do it that way. Re- 
member, Doc, this whole country is backing Peters. 
He’s got thirteen men now, an’ he can call on thirty more 
in two days. Easy is th’ way, easy.” 

44 I’ll spend th’ next hour pounding that into their 
hot heads,” Doc replied. 44 They’re itching for a chance 
to square up for everything. They’re some sore, been 
so for a couple of days, about that line house being 
guarded — they get sore plumb easy now, you know.” 

44 Well, good-night, Doc.” 

44 Good-night, Jim.” 

Meeker went towards his own house and as he neared 
the kitchen door a deep-throated wolf-hound bayed from 
the kennels, inciting a clamorous chorus from the 
others. Meeker shouted and the noise changed to low, 
deep, rumbling growls which soon became hushed. 
Chains rattled over wood and the fierce animals returned 
to their grass beds to snarl at each other. The fright- 
ened crickets took up their song again and poured it on 
the silence of the night. 

The foreman opened the door and strode through the 
kitchen and into the living room, his eyes squinting 
[ 182 ] 


The Compromise 

momentarily because of the light. His daughter was 
sitting in a rocking chair, sewing industriously, and she 
looked up, welcoming him. He replied to her and, dex- 
terously tossing his sombrero on a peg in the wall where 
it caught and hung swinging, walked heavily to the 
southern window and stood before it, hands clasped be- 
hind his back, staring moodily into the star-stabbed 
darkness. Down the wind came the faint, wailing howl 
of a wolf, quavering and distant, and the hounds again 
shattered the peaceful quiet. But he heard neither, so 
absorbed was he by his thoughts. Mary looked at him 
for a moment and then took up her work again and re- 
sumed sewing, for he had done this before when things 
had gone wrong, and frequently of late. 

He turned suddenly and in response to the movement 
she looked up, again laying her sewing aside. 44 What 
it is ? ” she asked. 

44 Trouble, Mary. I want to talk to you.” 

44 I’m always ready to listen, Daddy,” she replied. 
44 1 wish you wouldn’t worry so. That’s all you’ve done 
since we left Montana.” 

44 1 know ; but I can’t help it,” he responded, smiling 1 
faintly. 44 But I don’t care much as long as I’ve got 
you to talk it over with. Yo’re like yore mother that 
way, Mary ; she alius made things easy, somehow. An’ 
she knew more’n most women do about things.” 

44 Yo’re my own Daddy,” she replied affectionately. 
44 Now tell me all about it.” 

44 Well,” he began, sitting on the table, 44 I’m being 
cheated out of my rights. I find lines wdiere none ex- 
[ 133 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

ist. I’m hemmed in from water, th’ best grazing is 
held from me, my cows are driven helter-skelter, my 
pride hurt, an* my men mocked. When I say I must 
have water I’m told to go to th’ river for it, twenty miles 
from my main range, an’ lined with quicksands; an’ 
yet there is water close to me, water enough for double 
th 5 number of cows of both ranches I It is good, clean 
water, unfailing an’ over a firm bottom, flowing through 
thirty miles of th’ best grass valley in this whole sun- 
cursed section. Two hundred miles in any direction 
won’t show another as good. An’ yet, I dassn’t set my 
foot in it — I can’t drive a cow across that line! ” 

He paused and then continued : 44 I’m good an’ sick 

of it all. I ain’t going to swaller it no longer, not a 
day. Peace is all right, but not at th’ price I’m pay- 
ing! I’d ruther die fighting for what’s mine than put 
up with what I have since I came dowm here.” 

44 What are you going to do ? ” she asked quietly. 

44 I’m going to have a force on that line by to-morrow 
night ! ” he cried, gradually working himself into a tem- 
per. 44 Vm going to hold them hills, an’ th’ springs at 
th’ bottom of ’em. Vm going to use that valley an’ 
I’ll fight until th’ last man goes under ! ” 

44 Don’t say that, Daddy,” she quickly objected. 
44 There ain’t no line worth yore life. What good will 
it do you when yo’re dead? You can get along without 
it if it comes to that. An’ what’ll happen to me if you 
get killed ? ” 

44 No, girl,” he replied. 44 You’ve held me back too 
long. I should ’a struck in th’ beginning, before they 
[ 13 *] 


The Compromise 

got so set. It would ’a been easier then. I don’t like 
range wars any more’n anybody, but it’s come, an’ I’ve 
got to hold up my end — an’ my head ! ” 

“But th’ agreement?” she queried, fearful for his 
safety. She loved her father with all her heart, for he 
had been more than a father to her; he had always con- 
fided in her and weighed her judgment; they had been 
companions since her mother died, which was almost be- 
yond her memory; and now he would risk his life in a 
range war, a vindictive, unmerciful conflict which 
usually died out when the last opponent died — and 
perhaps he was in the wrong. She knew the fighting 
ability of that shaggy, tight-lipped breed of men that 
mocked Death with derisive, profane words, who jibed 
whether in melee or duel with as light hearts as if en- 
gaged in nothing more dangerous than dancing. And 
she had heard, even in Montana, of the fighting quali- 
ties of the outfit that rode range for the Bar-20. If 
they must be fought, then let it be for the right prin- 
ciples and not otherwise. And there was Hopalong ! — 
she knew in her heart that she loved him, and feared it 
and fought it, but it was true; and he was the active 
leader of his outfit, the man who was almost the foreman, 
and who would be in the thickest of the fighting. She 
didn’t purpose to have him killed if he was in the right, 
or in the wrong, either. 

“ Agreement ! ” he cried, hotly. “ Agreement ! I 
hear that every time I say anything to that crowd, 
an’ now you give it to me! Agreement be d — d! 
Nason never said nothing about any agreement when 
[ 135 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

he told me lie had found a ranch for me. He wouldn’t 
’a dealt me a hand like that, one that’d give me th’ 
worst of it in a show-down ! He found out all about 
everything before he turned over my check to ’em.” 

44 But they say there is one, an’ from th’ way they act 
it looks that way.” 

“I don’t believe an} 7 thing of th’ sort! It’s just a 
trick to hog that grass an’ water ! ” 

44 Hopalong Cassidy told me there was one — he told 
me all about it. He was a witness.” 

46 Hopalong h — 1 ! ” he cried, remembering the day 
that Doc had been shot, and certain hints which Antonio 
had let fall. 

44 Father ! ” she exclaimed, her eyes flashing. 

44 Oh, don’t mind me,” he replied. 44 1 don’t know 
what I’m saying half th’ time. I’m all mixed up, now- 
a-days.” 

44 1 believe he was telling the truth — he wouldn’t lie 
to me,” she remarked, decisively. 

He looked at her sharply. 44 Well, am I to be tied 
down by something I don’t know about? Am I to swal- 
ler everything I hear? I don’t know about no agree- 
ment, except what th’ Bar-20 tells me. An’ if there was 
one it was made by th’ Three Triangle, wasn’t it ? — 
an’ not by Nason or me? Am I th’ Three Triangle? 
Am I to walk th’ line on something I didn’t make? 1 
didn’t make it ! — oh, I’m tired arguing about it.” 

44 Well, even if there wasn’t no agreement you can’t 
blame them for trying to keep their land, can you ? ” 
[136] 


The Compromise 

she asked, idly fingering her sewing. 44 The land is 
theirs, ain’t it ? ” 

44 Did you ever hear of free grass an’ free water? ” 

44 I never heard of nothing else till I came down here,” 
she admitted. 44 But it may be different here.” 

44 Well, it ain’t different ! ” he retorted. 44 An’ if it is 
it won’t stay so. What goes in Montanny will go down 
here. Anyhow, I don’t want their land — all I want is 
th’ use of it, same as they have. But they’re hogs, an’ 
want it all.” 

44 They say it ain’t big enough for their herds.” 

44 Thirty-five miles long, and five miles wide, in th’ 
valley alone, an’ it ain’t big enough! Don’t talk to me 
like that! You know better.” 

44 I’m only trying to show it to you in every light,” 
she responded. 44 Mebby yo’re right, an’ mebby you 
ain’t; that’s what we’ve got to find out. I don’t want 
to think of you fightin’, ’specially if yo’re wrong. 
Suppose yo’re killed, — an’ you might be. Ain’t there 
some other way to get what you want, if yo’re de- 
termined to go ahead? ” 

44 Yes, I might be killed, but I won’t go alone ! ” he 
cried savagely. 44 Fifty years, man an’ boy, I’ve lived 
on th’ range, taking every kick of fortune, riding hard 
an’ fightin’ hard when I had to. I ain’t no yearling at 
any game about cows, girl.” 

44 But can’t you think of some other way ? ” she re- 
peated. 

44 I’ve got to get that line house on th’ hill,” he went 
[ 137 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

on, not heeding her question. “ Juan told me three days 
ago, that they’ve put a guard in it now — but I’ll have 
it by noon to-morrow, for I’ve been thinking hard since 
then. An’ once in it, they can’t take it from me ! With 
that in my hands I can laugh at ’em, for I can drive my 
cows over th’ line close by it, down th’ other side of th’ 
hill, an’ into th’ valley near th’ springs. They’ll be 
under my guns in th’ line house, an’ let anybody try to 
drive ’em out again ! Two men can hold that house — - 
it was built for defence against Indians. Th’ top of th’ 
hill is level as a floor an’ only two hundred yards to th’ 
edge. Nobody can cross that space under fire an’ live.” 

66 If they can’t cross it an’ live, how can you cross it, 
when th’ house is guarded? An’ when th’ first shot is 
fired you’ll have th’ whole outfit down on you from be- 
hind like wild fire. Then what’ll you do? You can’t 
fight between two fires.” 

“ By G — d, yo’re right! Yo’re th’ brains of this 
ranch,” he cried, his eyes squinting to hide his elation. 
He paced back and forth, thinking deeply. Five min- 
utes passed, then ten, and he suddenly turned and faced 
her, to unfold the plan he had worked out the day be- 
fore. He had been leading up to it and now he knew 
how to propose it. “ I’ve got it. I’ve got it ! Not 
a shot, not a single shot ! ” 

“ Tell me,” she said smiling. 

He slowly unfolded it, telling her of the herds wait- 
ing to be driven across the line to draw the Bar-20 men 
from the Peak, and of the part she was to play. She 
listened quietly, a troubled frown on her face, and when 
[ 138 ] 


The Compromise 

he had finished and asked her what she thought of it she 
looked at him earnestly and slowly replied: 

44 Do you think that’s fair? Do you want me to do 
that? ” 

44 What’s unfair about it ? They’re yore enemies as 
much as they are mine, ain’t they? Ain’t everything 
fair in love an’ war, as th’ books say ? ” 

44 In war, perhaps ; but not in love,” she replied in a 
low voice, thinking of the man who wore her flower. 

44 Now look here!” he cried, leaning forward. 
44 Don’t you go an’ get soft on any of that crowd ! Do 
you hear? ” 

44 We won’t mix love an’ war, Daddy,” she said, de- 
cisively. 44 You take care of yore end, that’s war; an’ 
let me run my part. I’ll do what I want to when it 
comes to falling in love; an’ I’ll help you to-morrow. 
I don’t want to do it, but I will ; you’ve got to have th’ 
line house, an’ without getting between two fires. I’ll 
do it, Daddy.” 

44 Good girl! Yo’re just like yore mother — all 
grit ! ” he cried, going towards the door. 44 An’ I 
reckon I won’t have to take no hand in yore courting,” 
he said, grabbing his sombrero. 44 Yo’re shore able to 
run yore own.” 

44 But promise me you won’t interfere,” she said, 
caimly, hiding her triumph. 

44 It’s a go. I’ll keep away from th’ sparking game,” 
he promised. 44 I’m going out to see th’ boys for a 
minute,” and the door slammed, inciting the clamor of 
the kennels again, which he again hushed. 44 D-' n 
[ 139 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

’em ! ” he muttered, exultantly. “ They tried to hog th’ 
range, an’ then they want my girl! But they won't hog 
th’ range no more, an’ I’ll put a stop to th’ courting 
when she plays her cards to-morrow, an’ without having 
any hand in it. Lord, I win every trick ! ” he laughed. 


luoj 


\ 


CHAPTER XV 

ANTONIO MEETS FRIENDS 

B EFORE daylight the next morning Antonio left 
the ranch and rode south, bearing slightly to 
the west, so as not to leave his trail in Curley’s 
path. He was to meet some of Shaw’s men who would 
come for more cattle. When a dozen miles southwest of 
the ranch house he espied them at work on the edge of 
an arroyo. They had a fire going and were re-branding 
a calf. Far out on the plain was a dead cow, the calf’s 
mother, shot because they had become angered by its 
belligerency when it had gone “ on th’ prod.” They 
had driven cow and calf hard and when they tried to 
separate the two the mother had charged viciously, nar- 
rowly missing one of them, to die by a shot from the 
man most concerned. Meanwhile the calf had run back 
over its trail and they had roped it as it was about to 
plunge over the bank of the arroyo. 

“You fools!” yelled Antonio, galloping towards 
them. “ Don’t you know better’n to blot on this range ! 
How many times have I told you that Curley rides 
south ! ” 




[ 141 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

« He never gets this far west — we’ve watched him,” 
retorted Clausen, angrily. 

“ Is that any reason why he can’t ! ” demanded the 
Mexican. 44 How do we know what he’ll do? ” 

“Yes!” rejoined Clausen. 44 An’ I reckon he can 
find that steep-bank hollow with th’ rope gate, can’t he? 
Suppose he finds th’ herds you holds in it for us — what 
then? ” 

44 It’s a whole lot farther west than here!” retorted 
Antonio, hotly. 44 They never go to Little Muddy, an’ 
if they do, that’s a chance we’ve got to take. But you 
can wait till you get to th’ mesa before you change 
brands, can’t you ! ” 

44 Aw, close yore pie-sump!” cried Frisco. 44 Who 
th’ devil is doing this, anyhow? You make more noise 
than Cheyenne on th’ Fourth of July!” 

44 What right have you fellers got to take chances an’ 
hobble me with trouble? ” 

44 Who’s been doing all th’ sleepering, hey ? ” sar- 
castically demanded Dick Archer. 44 Let Meeker’s gang 
see the God-forsaken bunch of sleepers running on their 
range an’ you’ll be hobbled with trouble, all right.” 

Through laziness, carelessness, or haste calves might 
not be branded when found with branded cows. Feeling 
was strong, against the use of the 44 running iron,” 
a straight iron rod about eighteen inches long which 
was heated and used as a pencil on the calf’s hide, and 
a man caught with one in his possession could expect to 
be dealt with harshly ; it was a very easy task to light a 
fire and “ run ” a brand, and the running iron was easily 
[ 142 ] 


Antonio Meets Friends 

concealed under the saddle flap. But it was not often 
that a puncher would carry a stamping iron, for it was 
cumbersome. With a running iron a brand could be 
changed, or the wrong mark put on unbranded cattle; 
but the stamping iron w^ould give only one pattern. 

When a puncher came across an unbranded calf with 
its branded mother, and the number which escaped the 
roundup was often large, he branded it, if he had an 
iron ; if he did not have the iron he might cut the calf’s 
ears to conform to the notch in its mother’s ears. When 
the calf was again seen it might have attained its full 
growth. In that case there was no branded mother to 
show to whom it belonged ; but its cut ears would tell. 

These unbranded, ear-cut calves were known as 
“ sleepers ” and, in localities where cattle stealing was 
being or had been carried on to any extent, such sleeper- 
ing was regarded with strong suspicion, and more than 
one man had paid a dear price for doing the work. 

The ear mark of the H2 was a V, while the Bar-20 
depended entirely on the brand, and part of its punchers’ 
saddle equipment was a stamping iron. 

Cowmen held sleepering in strong disfavor because it 
was an easy matter for a maverick hunter or a rustler 
to drive off these sleepers and, after altering the ear cut, 
to brand them with his own or some strange brand ; and 
it was easy to make sleepers. 

In the case of rustling the separation of branded 
calves and mothers was imperative, for should any one 
see a cow of one brand wdth a calf of another, it was 
very probable that a committee of discretionary powers 

[ 143 ] 


" Hopalong Cassidy 

would look into the matter. Hobbling and laming 
mothers and then driving away the calves were not the 
only ways of separating them and of weaning the calves, 
for a shot was often as good a way as any; but as dead 
cows, if found, were certain to tell the true story, this 
was not generally employed. 

Yes,” laughed Frisco. 66 What about th’ sleepers? ” 

They were discreetly silent about the cow they had 
killed, for they were ashamed of having left such a sign; 
but they would not stand Antonio’s scorn and anger, and 
that of the other members of the band, and so said noth- 
ing about it. 

“ Where’s th’ mother of this calf? ” demanded the 
{Mexican, not heeding the remarks about sleepers. 

“ Hanged if I know,” replied Clausen, easily ; “ an’ 
hanged if I care — we can leave one cow, I reckon.” 

“ Got many for us this time? ” asked Archer as they 
rode west, driving before them the newly branded calf. 

“ Not many,” replied Antonio. “ It’s risky, with 
Curley loose. We won’t be able to do much till th’ 
fighting starts.” 

When they reached their destination they came to a 
deep, steep-w ailed depression, exit from which was had 
at only one end where a narrow trail wound up to the 
plain. Across this trail at its narrowest point was 
stretched a lariat. 

The depression itself was some ten acres in extent and 
was well covered with grass, while near the southwest 
corner was a muddy pool providing water for the herd 
which was now held captive. 

[ 144 ] 


Antonio Meets Friends 

Clausen rode down and removed the rope, riding into 
the basin to hasten the egress of the herd. When the 
last cow had scrambled out and joined its fellows, Archer 
and Frisco drove them west, leaving Clausen to say a 
few final words with Antonio before joining them. 

“ How’s th’ range war coming on ? ” 

“Fine!” laughed Antonio. “Meeker’s going to at- 
tack th’ line house on th’ Peak, though what good it’ll 
do him is more than I can figure out. I put it in his 
head because it’ll start th’ fight. I had to grin when I 
heard Meeker and Doc planning it last night — they’re 
easy.” 

“ Gee ! ” laughed Clausen. “ It’s a stiff play. 
Who’s going to win? Meeker? ” 

“ Meeker’s going to get th’ licking of his life. I 
know that Bar-20 gang, every one. I’ve lived down 
here for some time, an’ I know what they’ve done. 
Don’t never get in a six-shooter argument with that fel- 
ler Cassidy; an’ if his friend Connors tells you to stop 
under eight hundred yards, you do it, an’ trust to yore 
tongue, or Colt. He’s th’ devil hisself with a Win- 
chester.” 

“ Much obliged — but I ain’t so bad that way my- 
self. Well, I’m going to ooze w r est. Got any word for 
Shaw? ” 

“ I’ll send word by Benito — I’ll know more about it 
to-morrow.” 

“ All right,” and Clausen was being jerked over the 
scenery by his impatient mount. 

Antonio wheeled and rode at a gallop, anxious to b« 
io [ 145 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

found on northern range, and eager to learn the result 
of his foreman’s attack. 

44 Salem,” once a harpooner on a whaling vessel, now 
cook for the H2, drove home from Eagle in the chuck 
wagon, which contained food supplies for his ranch. 
He was in that state hovering between tears and song, 
which accounts for the winding trail his wagon wheels 
left, and also for him being late. He had tarried in 
Eagle longer than he should have, for he was reluctant 
to quit the society of his several newly made friends, w T ho 
so pleasantly allowed him to 44 buy ” for them. When 
he realized how the time had flown and that his outfit 
would be clamoring for the noonday meal, such clamor- 
ing being spicy and personal in its expression, he left 
the river trail before he should and essayed a shorter 
way home, chanting a sea song. 

A pirate bold, on th’ Spanish Main — 

Set sail, yo-ho, an’ away we go — 

44 Starboard yore helm, you lubbers ! ” he shouted 
when the horses headed towards Mexico. Then he saw 
a large bulk lying on the sand a short distance ahead 
and he sat bolt upright. 

44 There she blows ! No, blast me, it’s a dead cow ! ” 

He drove closer to it and, stopping the team, staggered 
over to see what had killed it. 

44 D — n me, if it ain’t shot in th’ port eye! ” he ejacu- 
lated. 44 If I find the lubber what’s sinkin’ our cows. 
I’ll send him to Davy Jones’ locker ! ” 

[ 146 ] 


Antonio Meets Friends 

He returned to the wagon and steered nor’ by nor 5 
east, once more certain of his bearings, for he knew the 
locality now, and sometime later he saw Curley riding to- 
wards him. 

“Ahoy!” he yelled. “Ahoy, you wind-jammer!” 

“What’s eating you? Why are you so late?” de- 
manded Curley, approaching. “ You needn’t say — I 
know.” 

“ Foller my wake an’ you’ll see a dead cow,” cried 
Salem. “ Deader’n dead, too ! Shot in th’ starboard 
— no, was it starboard? Now, d — d if I know — 
reckon it was in th’ port eye, though I didn’t see no port 
light; aye, ’twas in th’ port — ” 

“ What in h — 1 do I care what eye it was ! ” shouted 
Curley. “Where is it?” 

“ Eight knots astern. Shot in th’ port eye, an’, 
as I said, deader’n dead. Flew our flag, too.” 

Curley, believing that the cook had seen what he 
claimed, wheeled abruptly and galloped away to report 
it to Meeker. 

“Hey! Ain’t you going to see it?” yelled Salem, 
and as he received no reply, turned to his team. “ Come 
on, weigh anchor! Think I want to lay out here all 
night? 4 A-sailing out of Salem town, — ’” he began, 
and then stopped short and thought. 44 1 knowed it ! — 
it zvas th’ port eye ! Same side th’ flag was on ! ” he ex- 
claimed, triumphantly. 


[ 147 ] 


CHAPTER XVI 


THE FEINT 

O N the boundary line alert and eager punchers 
rode at a canter to and fro, watching the herds 
to the south of them, and quick to turn back all 
that strayed across the line. Just east of the middle 
point of the boundary Red and Johnny met and com- 
pared notes, and both reported the same state of affairs, 
which was that the cattle came constantly nearer. 

Johnny removed his field glasses from his eyes. 

“ There’s punchers with that herd, Red. Three of 
’em.” 

“ I reckoned so.” 

“Wonder what they think they’re going to do?” 

“ We’ll know purty soon.” 

“ They’re coming this way.” 

“ If you had th’ brains of a calf you’d know they 
wouldn’t go south.” 

“Think they’re going to rush us?” Johnny asked, 
eagerly. 

“No; course not!” retorted Red. “They’re going 
to make ’em stand on their heads ! ” 

J ohnny began to hum — 

[ 148 ] 


The Feint 

Joyous Joe got a juniper jag, 

A-jogging out of Jaytown; 

Joyous Joe got a juniper jag — 

66 We’ll show that prickly pear from Montanny some 
fine points.” 

“Now, look here, Kid; don’t you let ’em get a cow 
across th’ line. Shoot every one, but keep yore eyes on 
th’ gang.” 

44 4 Joyous Joe got a juniper jag, — ’ Come on, you 
half-breeds ! ” 

44 Wonder where Hopalong is? ” Red asked. 

44 Up on th’ Peak, I reckon. Hey , Billy ! ” he yelled. 
44 Here comes Billy, Red.” 

44 1 guessed as much when you yelled ; if you don’t 
yell away from my ear next time I’ll kick yore pants 
over yore hat. D — d idiot, you ! ” 

44 Hullo, Billy,” cried Johnny, ignoring Red’s re- 
marks. 44 Just in time for th’ pie. Where’s Hopa- 
long? ” 

44 In th’ hills.” 

44 You get along an’ tell him what’s doing out here,” 
ordered Red. 44 Go lively ! ” 

44 Reckon I’d better stay an’ give you a hand ; you’ll 
need it before long,” Billy replied. 

44 You know what Hopalong said, don’t you? ” blazed 
Red. 44 What do you think me an’ th’ Kid are made 
of, anyhow? You go on, an’ quick!” 

44 Send Johnny,” Billy suggested, hopefully. 

44 Why, you coyote! ” cried Johnny, excitedly. 44 Th’ 
idea ! You go on ! ” 


[ 149 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ Yo’re a pair of hogs,” grumbled Billy, riding off. 
44 I’ll get square, someday. Hope they lick you ! ” 

46 Run along, little boy,” jeered Johnny. 64 Oh, gee! 
Here they come ! ” he cried as Billy rode behind the 
chaparral. 44 Look at ’em ! ” 

“ Let ’em come!” cried Billy, returning. 44 We’ll 
lick ’em ! ” 

44 Get out of here!” shouted Red, drawing his Win- 
chester from its sheath. 44 For G — d’s sake, do what 
yo’re told! Want to let Meeker win out? ” 

44 Nope; so long,” and Billy galloped away. 

44 That ain’t a herd ! ” cried Johnny, elated. 44 That’s 
only a handful. It’s a scrawny looking bunch, men an’ 
all. Come on, you coyotes ! ” he yelled, waving his 
rifle. 

44 You chump; this ain’t the real play — it’s a blind, 
a wedge,” Red replied. 44 They’re pushing a big one 
through somewhere else.” 

44 I’m shore glad Billy w T ent, an’ not me,” Johnny 
remarked. 

44 There’s Morgan,” Red remarked. 44 1 know his 
riding.” 

44 Bet you won’t know it when th’ show’s over. An’ 
there’s Chick, too. He needs a licking. You won’t 
know his riding, neither.” 

The herd came rapidly forward and the men who 
were guarding it waved their sombreros and urged it 
on. Red, knowing that he would be crowded if he 
waited until the cows were upon him, threw his rifle to 
his shoulder and began to shoot rapidly, and cow after 
[ 150 ] 


The Feint 

cow dropped, and the rush was stopped. Before the 
H2 men could get free from the panic-stricken herd 
Red and Johnny were within a hundred yards of them 
and when they looked up it was to see Red covering 
them, while Johnny, pleased by the reduced range, was^ 
dropping more cows. 

“ Stop ! ” Red shouted, angrily. 

“Huh!” exclaimed Johnny, looking up. “Oh, I 
thought you was talking to me,” he muttered, and then 
dropped another cow. 

“What in h — 1 do you think yo’re doing?” yelled 
Morgan. 

“ Just practising,” retorted Johnny. He quickly 
swung his rifle on Chick. “Hands up! No more of 
that!” 

“ You’ve got gall, shooting our cows ! ” replied Chick. 

“Get ’em up, boy!” snapped Johnny, and Chick 
slowly raised his arms, speaking rapidly. 

“What do you take us for!” shouted Ed Joyce, 
frantic at his helplessness. 

“ Coyotes,” replied Red. “ An’ since coyotes don’t 
ride, you get off’n them cayuses, pronto." 

“ Like h — 1 ! ” retorted Ed. 

Johnny’s rifle cracked and Ed tumbled off his dead 
horse, and when he arose the air was blue. 

“ Nex’ gent say 6 1,’ ” called Johnny. 

“I’ll be d — d if I’ll stand for that!” yelled Mor- 
gan, reaching for his gun. The next thing he knew 
was that the air was full of comets, and that his horse 
was dead. 


[ 151 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

Chick sullenly dismounted and stood watching Red, 
who was now in vastly better spirits, since the H£ rifles 
were on the horses and too far away from their owners 
to be of any use. The range was too great for good 
revolve!* shooting even if they could get them into 
action. 

“ Watch ’em,” said Red, firing. Chick’s horse, stung 
to frenzy by the wound, kicked up its heels and bolted, 
leaving the three punchers stranded ten miles from 
home. 

“ Turn around an’ hit th’ back trail,” ordered Red. 
“No back talk!” 

“ I’ll bust you wide open, someday, you red-headed 
wart ! ” threatened Dan, shaking his fist at the grin- 
ning line man. “ That’s a h — 1 of a thing to do, that 
is ! ” 

“Shut up an’ go home. Ain’t you got enough?” 
shouted Red. 

“ Just wait, you half-breed ! ” yelled Ed Joyce. 

“ That’s two with th’ waiting habit,” laughed Johnny. 

“What do — ” began Chick, stepping forward. 

“ Shut up ! Who told you to open yore face ! ” cried 
Red, savagely. “ Get home ! G’wan ! ” 

“ Walk, you coyotes, walk!” exulted Johnny. 

He and his companion watched the three angry 
punchers stride off towards the H2 and then Red told 
Johnny to ride west while he, himself, would go east to 
help his friends if they should need him. They had 
just begun to separate when Johnny uttered a shout of 
joy. Antonio had joined the trio of walkers and they 
[ 152 ] 


eint 

were pulling hi c m l horse. He waved his arms 
excitedly, but Chick had him covered. Dan and Ed 
were already n the animal and they quickly pulled 
Chick up behind them, narrowly watching the Mexican 
all the whih the horse fought for some time and then 
started south, the riders shouting while Antonio, still 
waving Is amis, plodded homeward on foot. 

Grea f iuy idled Johnny’s heart as he gloated over 
the Me medicament. “ Hoof it, you greasy 

snake; Kick th’ dust, you lazy lizard!” 

“ They can’t get in th’ game again for some time, 
till hey get cayuses,” remarked Red. “ That makes 
four less to deal with, counting th’ Greaser as a whole 
man.” 

“ Three a a’ a third,” corrected his companion. “ He 
acts like he had all eternity to get nowhere — look at 
h.un! et’s go down an’ rope him. He’s on th’ prod 
now — we can have a lot of fun.” 

If I go down there it’ll be to plug him good,” 
Bed replied. “ You hang around out here for a while. 
Pm go in’ west — Pete’s in that house alone — so long, 

ny grinned a farewell to Antonio and followed 
instructions while his friend rode towards the Peak to 
assist *ete, the lonely, who as it happened, would be 
very glad to see him. 


[ 153 ] 


CHAPTER XVII 


PETE IS TRICKED 

P ETE WILSON grumbled, for be was tiring 
of his monotonous vigil, and almost hoped the 
H& would take the house because of the ex- 
citement incident to its re-capture. At fir assign- 

ment had pleased, but as hour after hour passed with 
growing weariness, he chafed more and more and his 
temper grew constantly shorter. 

With the exception of smoking he had exhausted 
every means of passing the time; he knew to a cer- 
tainty how many bushes and large stones were on the 
plateau, the ranges between him and distant objects, 
and other things, and now he had to fall, back on his 
pipe. i 

“ Wish some son-of-a-thief would zephyr up a n’ 
start something,” he muttered. 44 If I stays in this fly- 
corral much longer I’ll go loco. A couple of \ ears 
back we wouldn’t have waited ten minutes in a case like 
this — we’d ’a chased that crowd off th’ range quick. 
What’s getting into us has got me picking *out th’ fes- 
tive pea, all right.” 

He stopped at the east window and scrutini the 

[ 154 ] 


Pete Is Tricked 

liiK lis far as he could see the dim, dusty, winding trail, 
hoping that some of the outfit would come into sight. 
Then he slid the Sharps out of the window and held it 
on an imaginary enemy, whom he pretended was going 
to try to take the house. While he thought of caustic 
remarks, with which to greet such a person, he saw the 
head of a horse push up into view over the edge of the 
hill. 

Sudden hope surged through him and shocked him to 
action. He cocked the rifle, the metallic clicks sweet to 
his ears. Then he saw the rider, and it was — Mary 
Meeker. 

Astonishment and quick suspicion filled his mind and he 
held the weapon ready to use on her escort, should she 
have one. Her horse reared and plunged and, decid- 
ing that she was alone, and ashamed to be covering a 
woman, he slid the gun back into the room, leaning it 
against the wall close at his hand, not losing sight of 
the rider for a moment. 

44 Now, what th’ devil is she doing up here, anyhow? ” 
he puzzled, and then a grin flickered across his face as 
the possible solution came to him. 64 Mebby she wants 
Hopalong,” he muttered, and added quickly, 44 Purty 
as blazes, too ! ” And she did make a pretty picture 
even to his scoffing and woman-hating mind. 

She was having trouble with her mount, due to the 
spurring it was getting on the side farther from the 
watcher. It reared and plunged, bucking sideways, 
up-and-down and fence-cornered, zigzagging over the 
ground forward and back, and then began to pitch 
[ 155 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

44 stiff -legged.” Pete’s eyes glowed with the apprecia- 
tion of a master rider and he was filled with admira- 
tion, which soon became enthusiastic, over her saddle- 
ease and cool mastery. She seemed to be a part of the 
horse. 

44 She’d ’a been gone long ago if she was fool enough 
to sit one of them side saddle contraptions,” he mused. 
44 A-straddle is th’ only — Good! All right! Yo’re a 
stayer!” he exclaimed as she stepped from one stirrup 
and stood up in the other when the animal reared up 
on its hind legs. 

He glanced out of the other windows of the house 
and fell to watching her again, his face darkening as 
he saw that she appeared to be tiring, while her mount 
grew steadily worse. Then she 44 touched leather,” and 
again and again. Her foot slipped from the stirrup, 
but found it again, while she frantically clung to the 
saddle horn. 

44 Four-legged devil! ” Pete exclaimed. 44 Wish 1 was 
on you, you ornery dog! Hey! Don’t you bite like 
that! Keep yore teeth away from that leg or I’ll blow 
yore d — d head off!” he cried wrathfully as the ani- 
mal bit viciously several times at the stirrup leather. 
44 I’ll whale th’ stuffin’ outen you, you wall-eyed clay- 
bank! Yo’re too bronc for her to ride, all right.” 

Then, during another and more vicious fit of stiff- 
legged pitching the rider held to the saddle horn with 
both hands, while her foot, again out of the stirrup, 
sought for it in vain. She was rapidly losing her grip 
on the saddle and suddenly she was thrown off, a cry 
[ 156 ] 


Pete Is Tricked 

reaching Pete’s ears. The victorious animal kicked sev- 
eral times and shook its head vigorously in celebration 
of its freedom and then buck- jumped across the plateau 
and out of sight down the hill, Pete strongly tempted 
to stop its exuberance with a bullet. 

Pete glanced at the figure huddled in the dust and 
then, swearing savagely and fearing the worst, threw 
down the bar and jerked open the door and ran as rapidly 
as his awkward legs would take him to see what he could 
do for her, his hand still grasping his rifle. As he 
knelt beside her he remembered that he had been told 
not to leave the house under any circumstances and he 
glanced over his shoulder, and just in time to see a 
chap-covered leg disappear through the doorway. His 
heart sank as the crash of the bar falling into place 
told him that he had been unworthy of the trust his best 
friend had reposed in him. It was plain enough, now, 
that he had been fooled, to understand it all and to 
know that as he left the house one or more H2 punch- 
ers had sprinted for it from the other side of the 
plateau. 

Red fury filled him in an instant and tearing the 
revolver from the girl’s belt he threw it away and then, 
grasping her with both hands, he raised her up as 
though she weighed nothing and threw her over his 
shoulder, sprinting for the protection of the hillside, 
which he reached in a few bounds. Throwing her 
down as he would throw a bag of flour he snarled at 
her as she arose and brushed her clothes. Years ago 
in Pete’s life a woman had outraged his love and trust 
[ 157 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

and sent him through a very hell of sorrow; and since 
then he had had no love for the sex — only a bitter, 
scathing cynicism, which now found its outlet in words. 

“Yo’re a nice one, you are!” he yelled. 44 You’ve 
done yore part! Yo’re all alike, every d — d one of you 
- — Judas wasn’t no man, not by a d — d sight! You 
know a man won’t stand by an’ see you hurt without 
trying to help you — an’ you play it against him ! ” 

She was about to retort, but smiled instead and went 
on with her dusting. 

44 Tickled, hey ! Well, you watch an’ see what we 
do to coyotes! You’ll see what happens to line-thieves 
down here ! ” 

She looked up quickly and suspected that instead of 
averting a fight she had precipitated one. Both Hopa- 
long and her father were in as much danger now as if 
she had taken no part in the trouble. 

Pete emptied his revolver into the air as rapidly as 
he could work the hammer and hurriedly reloaded it, 
all the time watching his prisoner and the top of the 
hill. Three quick reports, muffled by distance, replied 
from Long Hill and he turned to her. 

44 Now why don’t you laugh? ” he gritted savagely. 
He caught sight of her horse grazing calmly further 
down the hill and his Sharps leaped to his shoulder and 
crashed. The animal stiffened, erect for a moment, 
and then sank slowly back on its quivering haunches and 
dropped. 

44 You won’t pitch no more, d — n you! ” he growled, 
reloading. 

[ 158 ] 


Pete Is Tricked 

Her eyes snapped with anger and she caught at her 
holster. “You coward! You coward!” she cried, 
stamping her foot. 44 To kill that horse, an’ steal my 
gun — afraid of a woman! ” she taunted. 44 Coward! ” 

44 I’ll pull a snake’s fangs rather than get bit by one, 
when I can’t shoot ’em ! ” he retorted, stung by her 
words. 44 You’ll see how big a coward I am purty soon 
— an’ you’ll stay right here an’ see it, too ! ” 

“ 1 won’t run away,” she replied, sitting down and 
tucking her feet under her skirts. 44 Vm not afraid of 
a coward ! ” 

Another shot rang out just over the top of Stepping 
Stone Hill and he replied to it. Far to the west a 
faint report was heard and Pete knew that Skinny was 
roweling the lathered sides of his straining horse. Yet 
another sounded flatly from the direction of the dam, 
the hills multiplying it into a distant fusillade. 

44 Hear ’em! ” he demanded, fierce joy ringing in his 
voice. 44 Hear ’em! You’ve kicked th’ dynamite, all 
right — you’ll smell th’ smoke of yore little squib 
clean down to yore ranch house!” 

44 That’s grand — yo’re doing it fine,” she laughed, 
strangling the fear which crept slowly through her. 
44 Go on — it’s grand ! ” 

44 It’ll be a whole lot grander when th’ boys get here 
an’ find out what’s happened,” he promised. 44 There’ll 
be some funerals start out from what’s left of yore 
ranch house purty soon.” 

44 Ki-i-i-e-e-p ! Ki-ip ki-ip ! ” came the hair-raising 
yell from the top of Stepping Stone Hill, and Pete 
[ 159 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

withheld the rest of his remarks to reply to it in kind. 
Suddenly Red Connors, his quirt rising and falling, 
bounded over the top of the hill and shot down the 
other side at full speed. Close behind him came Billy 
Williams, who rode as recklessly until his horse stepped 
into a hole and went down, throwing him forward like 
a shot out of a catapult. He rolled down the hill some 
distance before he could check his impetus and then, 
scrambling to his feet, drew his Colt and put his broken- 
legged mount out of its misery before hobbling on 
again. 

Red slid to a stand and leaped to the ground, his 
eyes on the woman, but his first thought was for the 
house. “ What’s th’ matter? Why ain’t you in that 
shack? Didn’t Hopalong tell you to hold it?” he de- 
manded. Turning to Mary Meeker he frowned. 
“ What are you doing up here? Don’t you know this 
ain’t no place for you to-day? ” 

Pete grasped his shoulder and swung him around so 
sharply that he nearly lost his balance, crying: 
“ Don’t talk to her, she’s a d — d snake ! ” 

Red’s hand moved towards his holster and then 
stopped, for it was a friend who spoke. “ What do 
you mean, d — n you? Who’s a snake? What’s wrong 
here, anyhow? ” 

Billy limped up and stood amazed at the strange 
scene, for besides the presence of the woman, his friends 
were quarrelling and he had never seen that before. 
Seeing Mary look at him he flushed and sneaked off his 
sombrero, ashamed because he had forgotten it. 

[ 160 ] 


Pete Is Tricked 

Pete swiftly related all that had occurred, and ended 
with another curse flung at his prisoner, who looked 
him over with a keen, critical glance and then smiled 
contemptuously. 

" That’s a fine note ! ” Red cried, his sombrero also 
coming off. He looked at Mary and saw no fear in 
her face, no sign of any weakness, but rather a grim- 
ness in the firmness of her lips, and a battling light in 
her eyes, which gained her immunity from his tongue, 
for he admired grit. “Here, you, stop that cussing! 
You can’t cuss no woman while I’m around!” he cried 
hotly. “ Hopalong’ll break you wide open if he hears 
you. Cussing won’t do no good; what we want is 
thinking, an’ fighting!” Catching sight of Billy, who 
looked self-conscious and a little uncomfortable, he cried : 
“ An’ what’s th’ matter with you? ” 

Billy jerked his thumb over his shoulder in the direc- 
tion of the dead horse and Red', following the motion, 
knew. “ By th’ Lord, you got off easy ! Pete, you 
watch yore prisoner ; keep her out of danger, an’ 
there’ll be lots of it purty soon. We’ll get th’ house 
for you.” 

“ Send up to Cow r an’s saloon ; he had some dynamite, 
an’ if we can get any we can blow them sneaks off th’ 
face of th’ earth,” Pete exclaimed, his anger and shame 
urging him against his better nature. “ Go ahead. I’ll 
take th’ chances using th’ stuff — I lost th’ house.” 

The pathetic note of self-condemnation in his last 
words stopped Red’s reprimand and he said, instead; 
“ We’ll talk about that later. But don’t you lose no 
[ 161 ] 


ii 


Hopalong Cassidy 

sleep — they can’t hold it, dynamite or no dynamite. 
We’ll have it before sundown.” 

Dynamite ! Mary caught her breath and sudden fear 
gripped her heart. Dynamite! And two men were in 
the house, Doc Riley and Jack Curtis, men who w r ould 
not be there if she had not made it possible for them — 
she was responsible. 

“ Here comes Skinny ! ” cried Billy, -waving his arm. 

“ An’ here’s Hopalong ! ” j oyously cried Pete, elated, 
for he pinned his faith in his line-foreman’s ability to 
get out of any kind of a hole, no matter how deep and 
wide. “Now things ’ll happen! We’re going to get 
busy now , all right ! ” 

The two arrived at the same instant and both asked 
the same question. Then Hopalong saw Mary and he 
was at her side in a trice. 

“Hullo! What are you doing up here?” he cried 
in astonishment. 

“ Pm a prisoner — of that! ” she replied, pointing 
at Pete. 

Hopalong wheeled. “ What ! What have you been 
doing to her? Why ain’t you in th’ house, where you 
belongs ? ” 

Pete told him, briefly, and he turned to the prisoner,, 
a smile of admiration struggling to get through his 
frown. She looked at him bravety, for now r w T as the 
crisis, which she had feared, and welcomed. , 

“By th’ Lord!” he cried, softly. “ Yo’re a thor, 
oughbred, a fighter from .start to finish. But you 
shouldn’t come up here to-day; there’s no telling, some- 
[ 162 ] 


Pete Is Tricked 

times, where bullets go after they start.” Turning, 
he said, 44 Pete, you chump, stay on this side of th’ 
hill an’ watch th s , house. Billy, lay so you can watch 
th’ door. Red, come with me. An’ if anybody gets a 
shot at them range stealers, shoot to kill. Under- 
stand ? Shoot to :ill — it’s time.” 

44 Dynamite? ” (Queried Pete, hopefully. 44 I’ll use it. 
Cowan — ” 

Hopalong stared. 44 D}' namite ! Dynamite! We 
ain’t fighting ’em that way, even if they are co 3 T otes. 
You go an’ do what I told you.” 

“ Yes, but — ” 

44 Shut up ! ” snapped Hopalong. 44 I know how you 
feel now , but you’ll think different to-morrow.” 

44 Let’s swap th’ girl for th’ house,” suggested Skinny, 
grinning. 44 It’s a shore cinch,” he added, winking at 
Billy, who laughed. 

Hopalong wheeled to retort, caught Skinny’s eye 
closing, and laughed instead. 44 1 reckon that would 
work all right, Skinny. It’d be a good joke on ’em 
to take th’ house back with th’ same card they got it 
by. But this ain’t no time for joking. Pete, you bet- 
ter stay here an’ watch th’ w r indow on this side; Billy, 
take th’ window on th’ south side. Skinny can go 
around west an’ Red’ll take th’ door. They won’t be 
so joyous after they get what’s coming their way. 
This ain’t no picnic; shoot to kill. We’ve been peace- 
ful too blamed long ! ” 

44 That’s th’ way to talk ! ” cried Pete. 44 If we’d 
acted that way from th’ very first day they crossed 
[ 163 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

our line we wouldn’t be fighting to capture our own line 
house! You know how to handle ’em all right!” 

“ Pete, how much water is in there? ” Hopalong 
asked. 

44 ’Bout a hatful — nobody brought me any this 
morning, th’ lazy cusses.” {*■ 

44 All right; they won’t hold it for long, then. Take 
yore places as I said, fellers, an’ getHmsy,” he replied, 
and then turned to Mary. 44 Where’s yore father? Is 
he in that house? ” 

44 1 don’t know — an’ I wouldn’t tell if I did ! * 

44 Say, yo’re a regular hummer! Th’ more you talk 
th’ better I like you,” he laughed, admiringly. “ You’ve 
shore stampeded me worse than ever — I’m so loco I 
can’t wait much longer — when are you going to marry 
me? Of course you know that you’ve got to some- 
day.” 

44 Indeed I have not! ” she retorted, her face crimson. 
44 If you wait for me to marry you you will die of old 
age! An’ I’m shore somebody’s listening.” 

44 Then I 'll marry you — of course, that’s what I 
meant.” 

44 Indeed you won't! ” 

44 Then th’ minister will. After this line fighting is 
over I won’t wait. I’ll just rope you an’ drive you 
down to Perry’s Bend to th’ hobbling man, if you won’t 
go any other way. We’ll come back a team. Oh, I 
mean just what I say,” and she knew that he did, and 
she was glad at heart that he thought none the less 
of her for the trick she had played on Pete. He seemed 
[ 164 ] 


Pete Is Tricked 

to take everything as a matter of course, and as a mat- 
ter of course was going to re-take the house. 

“ You just dare try it! Just dare! ” she cried, hotly. 

66 Now you have gone an’ done it, for I never take a 
dare, never he laughed. 44 It’s us for th’ sky pilot, 
an’ then th’ same range for life. Yo’re shore purty, 
an’ that fighting spunk doubles it. You can begin to 
practise calling yourself Mrs. Hopalong Cassidy, of 
th’ Bar-20.” 

Pete fired, swore, and turned his head. 44 How th’ 
devil can I hit a house with all that fool talk! ” and the 
two, suddenly realizing that Pete had been ordered to 
remain close by, looked foolish, and both laughed. 

44 It gets on my nerves,” Pete growled, and then : 
44 Here comes Johnny like a greased coyote.” 

They looked and saw Johnny tearing down Stepping 
Stone Hill as if he were afraid that the fighting would 
be over before he could take a hand in it. When he 
came within hailing distance he stood up in his stirrups, 
shouting, 44 What’s up ? 99 and then, seeing Pete, un- 
derstood. Leaping from the saddle he jerked his rifle 
out of the sheath and ran to him, jeering. 44 Oh, you 
Pete! Oh you d — d fool! ” 

44 Hey, Johnny! How’s things east? ” Hopalong de- 
manded. 

Johnny stopped and hastily recounted how he and 
Red had driven back the herd, adding : 44 Her dad is out 
there now looking at his dead cows — I saw him when 
I came back from East Arroyo. An’ I saw them three 
punchers ride over that ridge down south; and they 
[165] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

shore made good time. Say, how did they get Pete 
out? ” he asked eagerly. 

“ I’ll tell you that later — Pete, you go an’ tell Red 
to come here, an’ take his place. We can’t swap Mary 
for th’ house, but we can swap her dad! Mary, you 
better go home — this won’t be no place for you in a 
little while. Where’s yore cay use? ” he asked, looking 
around. 

“ It’s down there — he shot it,” she replied, nodding 
at Pete. 

46 Shot it? Lord, but he must ’a been mad! Well, 
you can get square — Pete, where’s yore cayuse?” 

46 How th’ devil do I know ! ” Pete blazed, indignantly. 
“/ wasn’t keeping track of no cayuse after they got 
th’ house ! ” 

44 It’s down there on th’ hill — see it ? ” volunteered 
Johnny. 44 Shall I get it? ” he asked, grinning at the 
disgruntled Pete. 

44 Yes ; an’ strip th’ fixings off her cayuse while yo’re 
about it — lively.” 

Johnny vaulted into his saddle and loped down the 
hill, shortly returning with Mary’s saddle and bridle 
in front of him and Pete’s horse at the end of his rope. 
Hopalong quickly removed Pete’s saddle and put the 
other in its place, Pete eloquent in his silence, and 
Johnny manifestly pleased by the proceedings. 

44 Now you can ride,” Hopalong smiled, helping her 
/ into the saddle. 44 Pete don’t care at all — he ain’t say- 
ing a word,” whereat Pete said a word, several of them in 
[ 166 ] 


Pete Is Tricked 

fact, under his breath and vowed that he would kill the 
men in the house to get square. 

“ I’ll send it back as soon as I can,” she promised, 
and then, when Hopalong leaned closer and whispered 
something to her, she flushed and spurred the animal, 
leaving him standing in a cloud of dust, a smile on his 
face. 

Johnny, grinning until his face threatened to be 
ruptured, wheeled on Pete. 66 Yo’re a lucky fool, even 
if you did go an’ lose th’ house for us — wish she’d ride 
my cayuse ! ” 

Pete replied in keeping with his feelings now that 
there was no woman present, and walked away to change 
places with Red, who soon came up. Then the three 
mounted and cantered east to find the H2 foreman, 
Johnny mauling “Whiskey Bill” in his exuberance. 
Suddenly he turned in his saddle and slapped his thigh: 
“ I’ll bet four cents to a tooth brush that she’s telling 
her dad to get scarce. She heard what you said, 

Hoppy ! ” 

“ Right ! Come on ! ” exclaimed Hopalong, spur- 
ring into a gallop, his companions racing behind, spur- 
ring and quirting to catch him. 

“ Say, Red, she’s a straight flush,” Johnny shouted 
to his companion. “ Can’t be beat — if she turns 
Hoppy down I’m next in th’ line-up ! ” 

“You don’t want no wife — you wants a nurse!” 
Red retorted. 


[1ST] 


CHAPTER XVIII 


THE LINE HOUSE EE-CAPTURED 


FTER Chick, Dan Morgan, and Ed Joyce had 



commandeered Antonio’s horse and left him 
on foot they rode as rapidly as they could 


to the corrals of their ranch, where they saddled fresh 
mounts and galloped back to try conclusions with the 
men who had humbled them. They also wished to find 
their foreman, who they knew was somewhere along the 
line. Chick rode to the west, Dan to the east, and Ed 
Joyce straight ahead; intending to search for Meeker 
and then ride together again. 

Meanwhile Antonio, tired of walking, returned to the 
line and lay in ambush to waylay the first Bar-20 
puncher to ride past him, hoping to get a horse and 
also to leave a dead man for the Bar-20 to find and lay 
the blame on the H2. He knew that his rustler allies 
had scouts in the chaparrals and were ready to run off 
a big herd as soon as conditions were propitious, and 
he was anxious to give them the word to begin. 

It chanced, however, that Ed Joyce was the first man 
to approach the Mexican, and he paid dearly for being 
a party to taking Antonio’s horse. The dead man 


[ 168 ] 


The Line House Re-Captured 

would not inflame the Bar-20, but the H2, and the re- 
sults would be the same in the end. Mounting Ed’s 
horse Antonio galloped north into the valley through 
West Arroyo so as to leave tracks in the direction of 
the Bar-20, intending to describe a semi-circle and re- 
turn to his ranch by way of the river trail, leaving the 
horse where the trail crossed the Jumping Bear. By 
going the remainder of the way on foot he would not be 
seen on the horse of the murdered puncher, which might 
naturally enough stray in that direction, and so be free 
from suspicion. 

Lanky Smith, wondering why none of his friends had 
passed him on the line, followed the trail west to see 
if things were as they should be. He was almost in 
sight of a point opposite West Arroyo, his view being 
obstructed by chaparrals, when he heard a faint shot, 
and spurred forward, his rifle in the hollow of his arm 
ready for action. It could mean only one thing — 
one of his friends was shooting H2 cows, and complica- 
tions might easily follow. When he had turned out 
of an arroyo which made part of the line for a short 
distance he saw a body huddled on the sand several 
hundred feet ahead of him. At that instant Meeker, 
with Chick and Dan close at his heels, came into view 
on the other side, saw the body and, drawing their own 
conclusions, opened a hot fire on the Bar-20 puncher, 
riding to encircle him. Surprised for an instant, and 
then filled with rage because they had killed one of his 
friends, as he thought, he returned their fire and raced 
at Chick, who was now some distance from his com- 
[169] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

panions. Dan and Meeker wheeled instantly and ,ode 
to the aid of their friend, and Lanky’s horse dropped 
from under him. Luckily for him he felt a warning 
tremor go through the animal and jerked his feet free 
from the stirrups as it sank down, quickly crawling 
behind it for protection. 

Immediately thereafter Chick lost his hat, then the 
use of his right arm, followed by being deprived of 
the services of a very good cow-pony, for Lanky now 
had a rest for his rifle and while his marksmanship was 
not equal to that of his friend Red, it was good enough 
for his present needs. Dan Morgan started to shout 
to his foreman and then swore luridly instead, for 
Lanky was pleased to drill him at five hundred yards, 
the bullet tearing a disconcerting hole in Dan’s thigh. 

Meeker had been most zealously engaged all this 
time in making his rifle go off at regular intervals, his 
bullets kicking up the dust, humming viciously about 
Lanky’s head, and thudding into the carcass of the dead 
horse. Then Lanky swore and shook the blood from 
his cheek, telling Meeker what he thought about the 
matter. Settling down again he determined to husk 
Meeker’s body from its immortal soul, when he found 
his magazine empty. Reaching to his belt for the 
wherewithal for the husking he discovered the lamenta- 
ble fact that he had only three cartridges left for the 
Winchester, and the Colt was more ornamental than 
useful at that range. To make matters worse both 
Chick and Dan were now sitting up wasting cartridges 
in his direction, while Meeker seemed to have an unend- 
[ 170 ] 


The Line House Re-Captured 

ing supply. Just then the H2 foreman found his mark 
again and rendered his enemy’s arm useless. At that 
point the clouds of misfortune parted and Hopalong,. 
Red and Johnny at his heels, whirled into sight from 
the west, firing with burning zeal. 

Meeker’s horse went down, pinning its rider under it; 
Dan Morgan threw up his arms as he sat in the saddle, 
for his rifle was shattered; Chick, popping up his good, 
arm first, arose from behind his fleshy breastwork and 
announced that he could not fight, although he certainly 
wanted to ; but Meeker said nothing. 

Riding first to Lanky, his friends joked him into a. 
better humor while they attended to his wounds. Then 
they divided to extend the wound-dressing courtesy. 
First they tried to kill a man, then to save him ; but, of 
course, they desired mostly to render him incapable of 
injuring them and as long as this was accomplished it 
was not necessary to deprive him of life. 

Hopalong, being in command, went over to look at 
the H2 foreman and found him unconscious. Drag- 
ging him from under the body of his horse Hopalong 
felt along the pinned leg and found it was not broken.. 
Pouring a generous amount of whiskey down the un- 
conscious man’s throat he managed to revive him and 
then immediately disarmed him. Meeker complained of 
pains in his groin, not by words but by actions. His 
left leg seemed paralyzed and would not obey him. 
Hopalong called Red, who took the injured man up in 
front of him, where Hopalong bound his hands to the. 
pommel of the saddle. 


[nil 


Hopalong Cassidy 

Meeker preserved a stolid silence until Lanky joined 
them and then his rage poured out in a torrent of 
abuse and accusations for the killing of Ed Joyce. 
Lanky retorted by asking who Ed Joyce was, and 
wanted to know whose body he had found just before 
Meeker had come onto the scene. When he found that 
they were the same he explained that he had not seen 
it before Meeker had, which the H2 foreman would not 
believe. Red captured Dan Morgan’s horse and led it 
up. After Chick and Dan had been helped to mount 
the Bar-20 men’s horses, placed before the saddles and 
bound there, all started towards Lookout Peak, Lanky 
riding Dan’s horse. 

When they had arrived at their destination Meeker 
suddenly realized w r hat he was to be used for and stormed 
impotently against it. He heard the intermittent firing 
around the plateau and knew that Doc and Jack still 
held the house, and believed they could continue to 
hold it, since the thick adobe walls were impenetrable 
to rifle fire. 

“ Well, Meeker, it’s you for th’ house,” Hopalong 
remarked after he had sent Red to stop the fire of the 
others. 44 You got off d — d lucky to-day; th’ next time 
you raise the dickens along our line we’ll pay yore ranch 
houses a visit in a body an’ give you something to 
think about. We handled you to-day with six of us 
up north, an’ what th’ whole crowd can do you can 
guess. Now walk up there an’ tell them range- jumpers 
to vamoose th’ house ! ” 

44 They’ll shoot me before they sees who I am,” 
[ 172 ] 


The Line House Re Captured 

Meeker retorted, sullenly. 46 If yo’re so anxious to get 
’em out, do it yoreself — I don’t want ’em.” 

By this time the others were coming up and heard 
Meeker’s words, and Hopalong, turning to Skinny and 
Billy, curtly ordered them to mount. 64 Take this 
royal American fool up to th’ bunk house to Buck. 
Tell Buck what’s took place down here, an’ also that 
we’re going to shoot h — 1 out of th’ fellers in th’ house 
before he sees us. After that those of us who can ride 
are going down to th’ H£ an’ clean up that part of 
th’ game, buildings an’ all. Go on, lively ! Red, 
Johnny, Pete; cover th’ windows an’ fill that shack 
plumb full of lead. It’s clouding up now an’ when 
it gets good an’ dark we’ll bust in th’ door an’ end it, 
Skinny, you come back again, quick, with all th’ grub 
an’ cartridges you can carry. Meeker started this, but 
Vm going to finish it an’ do it right. There won’t be 
no more line fights down here for a long time to come.” 

44 1 reckon I’ll have to order ’em out,” Meeker 
growled. 44 What’ll you do to ’em if I do? ” 

44 Send ’em home so quick they w^on’t have any time 
to say 4 good-bye,’ ” Hopalong rejoined. 44 We’ve seen 
too much of you fellers now. An’ after I send ’em home 
you see that they stays away from that line — we’ll 
shoot on sight if they gets within gunshot of it ! 
You’ve shore had a gall, pushing us, you an’ yore hat- 
ful of men an’ cows! If it wasn’t for th’ rustling we’d 
’a pushed you into th’ discard th’ day I found yore 
Greaser herding on us.” 

Meeker, holding his side because of the pain there 

[ 173 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

from the fall, limped slowly up the hill, waving his 
sombrero over his head as he advanced. 

44 What do you want now? — Meeker! 99 cried a voice 
from the building. 44 What’s wrong? ” 

44 Everything ; come on out — we lose,” the foreman 
cried, shame in his voice. 

44 Don’t you tell us that if you wants us to stay here,” 
came the swift reply. 44 We’re game as long as we 
last, an’ we’ll last a long time, too.” 

44 1 know it. Doc — ” his voice broke — 44 they’ve 
killed Ed an’ captured Chick, Dan, an’ me. I’d say 
fight it out, an’ I’d fight to th’ end, only they’ll attack 
th’ ranch house if we do. We’re licked, this time! ” 

44 First sensible words you’ve said since you’ve been 
on this range,” growled Lanky. 44 You was licked be- 
fore you began, if you only knowed it. An’ you’ll get 
licked every time, too ! ” 

44 Well, we’ll come out an’ give up if they’ll let us 
all go, including you,” cried Doc. 44 1 ain’t going to 
get picked off in th’ open while I’ve got this shack to 
fight in, not by a blamed sight ! ” 

44 It’s all right, Doc,” Meeker replied. 44 How’s 
Jack? ” he asked, anxiously, not having heard Doc’s 
companion speak. 

44 Wait an’ see,” was the reply, and the door opened 
and the two defenders stepped into sight, bandaged 
with strips torn from their woollen shirts, the remains* 
of which they did not bother to carry away. 

44 Who played that gun through th’ west window?” 
asked Doc, angrily. 


[mi 


The Line House Re-Captured 

“ Me ! ” cried Skinny, belligerently. “ Why ? 99 

“ Muzzle th’ talk — you can hold yore pow-wow 
some other time,” interposed Hopalong. “ You fellers 
,get off this range, an’ do it quick. An’ stay o-ff, 
savvy ? ” 

Meeker, his face flushed by rage and hatred for the 
men who had so humiliated him, climbed up on Dan’s 
horse and Dan was helped up behind. Then Chick was 
helped to mount in front of his foreman and they rode 
down the hill, followed by Doc and Jack. The inten- 
tion was to let Dan ride to the ranch after they had all 
got off the Bar-20 range, and send up the cook with 
spare horses. Just then Doc remembered that he and 
Jack had left their mounts below when they walked up 
the hill to take the house, and they went after them. 

At this instant Curley was seen galloping up and he 
soon reported what Salem had seen. Meeker flew into 
a rage at this and swore that he would never give in to 
either foe. While Curley was learning of the fighting, 
Doc and his companion returned on foot, reporting 
that their horses had strayed, whereupon Meeker got 
off the horse he rode and told Doc and Chick to ride 
it home, Curley being despatched for mounts, while 
the others sat down on the ground and waited. 

When Curley returned with the horses he was very 
much excited, crying that during his absence Salem 
had seen six men run off a herd of several hundred 
head towards Eagle and had tried to overtake them in 
the chuck wagon. 

4< God A’mighty!” cried Meeker, furiously. “ Ain’t 
[175] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

I got enough, now! Rustling, an’ on a scale like that! 
Peters was right after all about th’ rustling, d — n him. 
A whole herd! Why didn’t they take th’ rest, an’ th’ 
houses, an’ th’ whole ranch? An’ Salem., th’ fool, chas- 
ing ’em in th’ chuck wagon! Wonder they didn’t take 
him, too.” 

“ I reckon he wished he had his harpoon with him,” 
Chick snorted, the ridiculousness of Salem’s action 
bringing a faint grin to his face, angry and wounded 
as he was. “ He’s the locoedest thing that wears pants 
in this section, or any other!” 

“ It was a shore fizzle all around,” Meeker grumbled. 
“ But I ain’t through with that line yet — no, by th’ 
Lord, I ain’t got started yet! But this rustling has 
got to be cleaned up first of all — th’ line can wait ; 
an’ if we don’t pay no attention to th’ valley for a 
while they’ll think we’ve given it up an’ get off their 
guard.” 

“Shore!” cried Dan, whose fury had been aroused 
almost to madness by the sting of the bitter defeat, and 
who itched to kill, whether puncher or rustler it little 
mattered; he only wanted a vent for his rage. 

“ We’ll parade over that south range like buzzards 
sighting carrion,” Meeker continued, leading the way 
homeward. “ I ain’t a-going to get* robbed all th’ time! ” 

“ Wonder if Smith did shoot Ed? ” queried Dan, 
thoughtfully. “ There was quite a spell between th’ 
shot I heard an’ us seeing him, an’ he acted like he had 
just seen Ed. But it’s tough, all right. Ed was a 
blamed good feller.” 


[ 176 ] 


The Line House Re-Captured 

“ Who did shoot him, then P ” snapped Meeker, sav- 
agely. “ There’s no telling what happened out there 
before we got there. Here, Curley, 3 t ou ain’t full of 
holes like us — you ride up there an’ get him while we 
go home. He’s laying near that S arroyo right close 
to th’ line — th’ one we scouted through that time.” 

“ Shore, I’ll get him,” replied Curley, wheeling. 
66 See you later.” 


CHAPTER XIX 


ANTONIO I/EAYES THE H2 

O N the H2 Jim Meeker rolled and muttered in 
his sleep, which had been more or less fitful be- 
cause of his aching groin and strained leg. 
Gazing confusedly about him he sat bolt upright, swear- 
ing softly at the pain and then, realizing that he was 
where he should be, grumbled at the kaleidoscopic 
dreams that had beset him during his few hours of 
sleep, and glanced out of the window. Hastily dress- 
ing he strode to the kitchen door, calling his daughter 
as he passed her room, and looked out. The bunk house 
and the corrals were beginning to loom up in the early 
light and the noise in the cook shack told him that 
Salem was preparing breakfast for the men. He did 
not like the looks of the low, huge, black cloud east 
of him and as he figured that it would not pass over 
the ranch houses unless the wind shifted sharply he sud- 
denly stared at a corral and then hastened back to his 
room for the Colt which lay on the floor beside his 
bunk. He had seen a man flit past the further corral, 
speed across the open, and disappear behind the corral 
nearest to the bunk house. This ordinarily would have 
[ 178 ] 


Antonio Leaves the H2 

provoked no further thought, for his men were crazy- 
headed enough to do anything, but while rustling flour- 
ished, and so audaciously, and while a line war was on, 
it would stand prompt investigation. 

Peering again from the door, Colt in hand, Meeker ; 
slipped out silently and ran to the corral wall as rapidly 
as his injuries would allow. When he reached it he 
leaned close to it and waited, his gun levelled at the 
corner not ten feet from him. Half a minute later 
and without a sound a man suddenly turned it, crouching 
and alertly watching the bunk house and cook shack 
at his left, and then stopped with a jerk and reached 
to his thigh as he became aware that he was being 
watched at such close range. Straightening up and 
smothering an exclamation he faced the foreman and 
laughed, but to Meeker’s suspicious ears it sounded 
very much forced and strained. 

44 No sabe Anton?” asked the prowler, smiling in- 
nocently and raising his hand from the gun. 

Meeker stood silent and motionless, the Colt as steady 
as a rock, and a heavy frown covered his face as he 
searched the evil eyes of his broncho-buster, whose smile 
remained fixed. 

44 No sabe Anton? ” somewhat hastily repeated the 
other, a faint trace of anxiety in his voice, but the smile 
did not waver, and his eyes did not shift. He began 
to realize that it was about time for him to leave the 
H2, for he knew that few things grow so rapidly as 
suspicion. And he knew that the outfit would do very 
little weighing in his case. 

[ 179 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

Meeker slowly lowered his weapon and swore; he did 
not like the prowling any better than he did the smile 
and the laugh and the treacherous eyes. 

“ I no savvy why yo’re flitting around th’ scenery 
when you should ought to be in bed,” he replied, his 
words ominously low and distinct. “ You’ve shore had 
a narrow squeak, for I came nigh on to letting drive 
from th’ door on a gamble. An’ I’ll own that I’m 
some curious as to why yo’re prowling around so early 
before breakfast. It ain’t a whole lot like you to be 
out so early before grub time. What dragged you 
from th’ bunk so d — d early, anyhow? ” 

Antonio rolled a cigarette to gain time, being elabo- 
rately exacting, and thought quickly for an excuse. 
Tossing the match in the air and letting the smoke curl 
slowly from his nostrils he grinned pleasantly. “ I no 
sleep — have bad dreams. I wake up, uno , dos times 
an’ teenk someteeng ees wrong. Then I ride to see. 
Eet ees soon light after that an’ I am hungry, so I 
come back. Eet ees no more, at all.” 

“ Oh, it ain’t! ” retorted the foreman, still frowning, 
for he strongly doubted the truth of what he had heard, 
so strongly that he almost passed the lie. “ It’s some 
peculiar how this ranch has been shedding dreams last 
night, all right. However, since I had some few myself 
I won’t say I had all there was loose. But you listen 
to me, an’ listen good, too. When I want any scouting 
done before daylight I’ll take care of it myself, savvy? 
An’ if yo’re any wise you’ll cure yoreself of th’ habit 
of being out nights percolating around when you ought 
[180 1 


Antonio Leaves the H2 

to be asleep. You ain’t acted none too wide awake 
lately an’ yore string of cayuses has shore been used 
hard, so I want it stopped, an’ stopped sudden; hear 
me? I ain’t paying you to work nights an’ loaf days 
an’ use up good cayuses riding hell-bent for nothing. 
You ain’t never around no more when I want you, so 
you get weaned of flitting around in th’ night air like 
a w r hip-poor-will ; you might go an’ catch malaria ! ” 

“ I no been out bafo’ — Juan, he tell you that ees so, 
si .” 

“ Is that so? I sort of reckon he’d tell me anything 
you want him to if he thought I’d believe it. Hence- 
forth an’ hereafter you mind what I *ve just told you . 
You might run up against some rustler what you don’t 
know very well, an’ get shot on suspicion,” Meeker 
hazarded, but he found no change in the other’s face, 
although he had hit Antonio hard, and he limped off 
to the ranch house to get his breakfast, swearing every 
time he put his sore leg forward, and at the ranch 
responsible for its condition. 

Antonio leaned against the corral wall and smoked, 
gazing off into space as the foreman left him, for he 
had much to think about. He smiled cynically and 
shrugged his shoulders as he shambled to his shack, 
making up his mind to leave the H2 and join Shaw on 
the mesa as soon as he could do so, and the sooner the 
better. Meeker’s remark about meeting strange rustlers, 
thieves he did not know, was very disquieting, and it 
was possible that things might happen suddenly to the 
broncho-buster of the H2. Soon emerging from his 
[ 181 } 


Hopalong Cassidy 

hut he walked leisurely to the fartherest corral and re- 
turned with his saddle and bridle. After holding a 
whispered consultation with Juan and Sanchez, who 
both showed great alarm at what he told them, and who 
called his attention to the fact that he had lost one 
of the big brass buttons from the sleeve of his coat, 
the three walked to the cook shack for their breakfast, 
where, every morning, they fought with Salem. 

44 Here comes them Lascars again to fill their holds 
with white man’s grub,” the cook growled as he es- 
pied them. 44 If I w^as th’ old man I’d maroon them, 
or make ’em walk th’ plank. Here, you! Get away 
from that bench!” he shouted, running out of the 
shack. 44 That’s my grub ! If you ain’t good enough 
to eat longside of th’ crew, d — d if you can eat with 
th’ cook! Some day I’ll slit you open, tail to gills, 
see if I don’t ! Here’s yore grub — take it out on 
th’ deck an’ fight for it,” and Salem, mounting guard 
over the bench, waved a huge butcher knife at them 
and ordered them off. 44 Bilgy smelling lubbers ! I’ll 
ruff afoul of ’em some morning an’ make shark’s food 
out of th’ whole lot ! ” 

Meanwhile Meeker, finding his breakfast not yet 
ready, went to Antonio’s shack and glanced in it. The 
bunk his broncho-buster used was made up, which struck 
him as peculiar, since it was w T ell known that Antonio 
never made up his bunk until after supper. As he 
turned to leave he espied the saddle and saw that the 
stirrups were streaked with clay. 44 Now what was he 
doing over at th’ river last night ? ” he soliloquized. 

[ 182 ] 


Antonio Leaves the H2 

Shrugging his shoulders he wheeled and went to the bunk 
house, where he stumbled over a box, whacking his 
shins soundly. His heartfelt and extemporaneous re- 
marks regarding stiff legs and malicious boxes awakened 
Curley, who sat up and vigorously rubbed his eyes with 
his rough knuckles. Grunts and profanity came from 
the other bunks, Dan swearing with exceptional lo- 
quacity and fervor at his wounded thigh. 

44 Somebody’ll shore have to lift me out like a baby,” 
he grumbled. 44 I’ll get square for this, all right ! ” 

44 Aw, what you cussing about?” demanded Chick, 
whose arm throbbed with renewed energy when he sat 
up. 44 How’d you like to have an arm like mine so you 
can’t use it for grub, hey? ” 

44 You an’ yore arm can — ” 

44 What’s matter, Jim?” interrupted Curley, drop- 
ping his feet to the floor and groping for his trousers. 
44 You got my pants?” he asked Dan, whereupon Dan 
told him many things, ending with : 44 In th’ name 

of heaven what do I want with pants on this leg! I 
can’t get my own on, let alone yourn. Mebby Chick 
has put ’em on his scratched wing!” he added, with 
great sarcasm, whereupon Curley found them under his 
bunk and muttered a profane request to be told why 
they had crawled so far back. 

44 Yo’re a hard luck bunch if yo’re as sore as me,” 
growled Meeker, kicking the offending box out of doors. 
44 1 cuss every time I hobble.” 

44 Oh, I ain’t sore, not a bit — I’m feeling fine,” ex- 
ulted Curley, putting one foot into a twisted trouser 
[18 3 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

leg while he hopped recklessly about to keep his bal- 
ance, Dan watching him enviously. He grabbed Chick’s 
shoulder to steady himself and then arose from the 
floor to find Chick calling him every name in the lan- 
guage and offering to whip him with one hand if he 
grabbed the wounded arm. again. 

“ Aw, what’s th’ matter with you ! ” he demanded, 
getting the foot through without further trouble. “ I 
didn’t stop to think, you chump ! ” 

64 ,Why didn’t you?” snapped Chick, aggressively. 

“ Curley, yo’re a plain, d — d nuisance — get outside 
where you’ll have plenty of room to get that other leg 
in,” remarked Dan. 

“Not satisfied with keeping us all awake by his 
cussed snoring an’ talking, he goes an’ hops right on 
my bad arm ! ” Chick remarked. “ He snores something 
awful, Jim; like a wagon rumbling over a wooden 
bridge; an’ he whistles every lap.” 

“You keep away from me, you cow!” warned Doc, 
weighing a Colt in his hand by the muzzle. “ I’ll shore 
bend this right around yore face if you don’t!” 

“ Aw, go to th’ devil ! Yo’re a bunch of sore-heads, 
just a bunch of — ” Curley snapped, his words becom- 
ing inaudible as he went out to the wash bench, where 
Meeker followed him, glad to get away from the grunt- 
ing, swearing crowd inside. 

“ Curley,” the foreman began, leaning against the 
house to ease his thigh and groin, “ that Greaser of 
our’n is either going loco, or he is up to some devilment, 
an’ I a whole lot favors th’ devilment. I thought of 
[ 184 ] 


Antonio Leaves the H2 

telling him to clean out, get off th’ range an’ stay off, 
but I reckon I’ll let him hang around a while longer 
to see just what his game is. Of course if he is crooked, 
it’s rustling. I’d like an awful lot to ketch him rustling ; 
it’d wipe out a lot of guessing, an’ him at th’ same 
time.” 

“ They’re all of ’em crooked,” Curley replied, re- 
filling the basin. “ Every blasted one, an’ he’s worse 
than all th’ others — he’s a coyote ! ” 

“ Yes, I reckon you ain’t far from right,” replied 
Meeker. “ Well, anyway, I put in a bad night an’ 
rolled out earlier’n usual. I looked out an’ saw some- 
body sneaking around th’ corral, an’, gettin’ my gun, 
I went after him hot foot. It was Antonio, an’ when 
I asks for whys an’ wherefores, he gives me a fool 
yam about having a dream. He woke up an’ was 
plumb scared to death somebody was running off with 
th’ ranch, an’, being so all-fired worried about th’ safety 
of th’ ranch he’s too lazy to work for, he just couldn’t 
sleep, but had to get up an’ saddle his cayuse an’ ride 
around th’ corrals to see if it was here. Now, what do 
you think of that ? ” 

“ Huh ! ” snorted Curley. “ He don’t care a conti- 
nental cuss about this ranch -or anybody on it, an’ never 
did.” 

64 Which same I endorses ; it shore was a sudden 
change,” Meeker replied, glancing at the Mexican’s 
shack. “ I looked in his hut an’ saw his bunk hadn’t 
been used since night afore last, so he must ’a had his 
dreams then. There was yaller clay on his stirrups — 
[ 185 ] 


Hopaiong Cassidy 

he must ’a been scared somebody was going to run off 
with th’ river, too. Now he shore was rampaging all 
over creation last night — he didn’t have no dreams 
nor no sleep in that bunk last night, nohow. Now, th’ 
question is, where was he, an’ what th’ devil was he 
doing? I’d give twenty-five dollars if I knowed for 
shore.” 

“ That’s easy ! ” snorted Curley, trying to get water 
out of his ear. “ Where’d I ’a been last night if I 
wasn’t broke? Why, down in Eagle having a good 
time — there’s lots of good times in that tow T n if you’ve 
got th’ price of more than a look-in. Or, mebby, he 
was off seeing his girl, his dulcc, as he calls her. That’s 
a good way to pass th’ evening, too.” Then, seeing 
the frown on Meeker’s face he swiftly contradicted him- 
self, realizing that it was no time for jesting. “ Why, 
it looks to me like he might be a little interested in 
some of th’ promiscuous cattle lifting that’s going on 
’round here. I’ll pump him easy so he won’t know 
what I’m driving at.” 

“ Yes, you might do that if yo’re shore you won’t 
scare him away, but I want you to pass th’ horse corral, 
anyhow, an’ see what horse he rode. See how hard he 
pushed it riding around th’ corrals, an’ if there’s any 
yellow clay on its legs. Don’t let him see you doing it 
or he’ll get gun-shy an’ jump th’ country. I’m going 
up to breakfast — Mary’s calling me.” 

Curley looked up. “ Shore I’ll do it. Holy cats ! 
It’s raining some on th’ hills, all right. Eook yon- 
der ! ” 


f 186 


Antonio Leaves the H2 

“ Yes. I saw it this morning early. It passed to 
th’ northeast of us. I’ll be back soon,” and the fore- 
man limped away. “ Hey, Curley,” he called over his 
shoulder for Antonio’s benefit, “ take a look at them 
sore yearlings in th’ corral,” referring to several calves 
they had quarantined. 

“ All right, Jim. They was some better last night. 
I don’t think it’s anything that’s catching.” 

“O-o-h!” yawned Jack in the doorway. “Seems 
like I just turned in — gosh, but I’m sleepy.” 

“ Nothing like cold water for that feeling,” laughed 
Curley. “ We stayed up too late last night talking it 
over. Hullo, Chick ; still going to lick me one- 
handed ? ” 

“ You get away from that water, so I can wash 
one-handed,” replied Chick. “ But you shouldn’t ought 
to ’a done that. No, Jack — go ahead; but I’m next. 
Hey, Dan ! ” he cried, laughing, “ shall I bring some 
water in to you? ” 

“ I won’t stay here an 5 listen to such language as 
Dan’s ripping off,” Curley grinned, starting away. 
“ I’m going up to look at them sick yearlings in Num- 
ber Two corral.” 

True to his word Curley looked the animals over 
thoroughly and then dodged into the horse corral, 
where he quickly examined the horses as he passed them, 
alert for trouble, for a man on foot takes chances when 
he goes among cow-ponies in a corral. Not one of the 
animals forming Antonio’s remuda appeared to have 
been ridden and it was not until he espied Pete, Doc’s 
[ 187 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

favorite horse, that he found any signs. Pete’s hair 
was roughened and still wet from perspiration, there 
was a streak of yellow clay along its belly on one side 
but none on its hoofs, and dried lather still clung to 
its jaws. Pete made no effort to get away, for he was 
one of the best trained and most intelligent animals 
on the ranch, a veteran of many roundups and drives, 
and he knew from experience that he would not be 
called on to do double duty; he had done his trick 
while the others rested. 

“ An’ you know I ain’t a-going to ride you, hey ? ” 
Curley muttered. “ You’ve had yore turn, an’ you 
know you won’t be called on to-day, you wise old devil. 
Pete, some people say cayuses ain’t got no sense, that 
they can’t reason — they never knowed you, did they? 
Well, boy, you’ll have yore turn grazing with th’ rest 
purty soon.” 

He returned to the bunk house and spent a few min- 
utes inside and then sauntered easily towards the ranch 
house, where the foreman met him. 

“ So there wasn’t no clay on his hoofs, hey ? ” Meeker 
exclaimed. “ Some on his belly, an’ none on his hoofs. 
Hum! I reckon Pete was left by hisself while th’ 
Greaser wrastled with th’ mud. Must ’a thought he 
was prospecting. Well, he’s a liar, an’ a sneak; watch 
him close, an’ tell th’ rest to do th’ same. Mebby we’ll 
get th’ chance soon of stretching his yellow neck some 
bright morning. I’ll be down purty soon to tell you 
fellers where to ride.” 

Curlay returned to the wash bench and cleansed hiu 

[ 188 ] 


Antonio Leaves the H2 

hands, and because the cold water felt so good, he 
dipped his face into it again, blowing like a porpoise. 
As he squilgeed his face to lessen the duty of the over- 
worked towel, he heard a step and looked up quickly. 
Antonio was leaning against the house and scowling at 
him, for he had looked through a crack in the corral 
wall and had seen Pete being examined. 

44 Eet ees bueno thees momin’,” the Mexican offered. 

44 What’s good ? ” Curley retorted, staring because 
of Antonio’s unusual loquacity. 

“ Madre de Dios , de weatha.” 

44 Oh, salubrious,” replied Curley, evading a hole in 
the towel. 44 Plumb sumptuous an’ highfalutin’, so to 
speak. You had a nice night for Eagle, all right. 
Who-all was down there? ” 

44 Antone not en Eagle — he no leev de rancho,” the 
Mexican replied, surprised. He hesitated as if to con- 
tinue and Curley noticed it. 

44 What’s on yore mind, ’Tony? What’s eating you? 
Pronto, Pm hungry. Next!” 

44 No nex’ — I no sabe .” 

44 You talkee likum Chinee ! ” retorted Curley. 44 Why 
don’t you learn how to talk English? It’s easy enough. 
An’ what do you want, anyhow, getting so friendly all 
of a sudden ? ” 

Antonio hesitated again. 44 What you do een de cor- 
ral thees momin’ ? ” 

44 Oh, I was looking at them yearlings — they was 
purty bad, but they’re gettin’ along all right. What 
do you think about ’em? ” 

[189 1 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“No; een de beeg corral.” 

“Oh, you do!” snapped Curley. “Well, I remem- 
oered you was riding around this morning before sun- 
up so I reckoned I’d look in an’ see if you rid my cayuse, 
which you didn’t, an’ which is good for you. I ain’t 
a whole lot intending to go moping about on no tired- 
out bronc, an’ don’t you forget it, neither. An’ see- 
ing as how it ain’t none of your d — d business what I 
do or where I go, that’s about all for you.” 

“ You no spik true — Pah ! eet ees a lie ! ” cried the 
Mexican excitedly, advancing a step, and running in- 
to the wash water and a fist, both of which met him in 
the face. Curley, reaching for his holster and finding 
that he had forgotten to buckle it on, snatched the Rem- 
ington from Antonio’s sheath while the; fallen, man was 
half dazed. Pointing it at the Mexican’s stomach, he 
ordered him up and then told him things. 

“ I reckon you got off easy, Greaser — th’ next time 
you calls me a liar shoot first, or there’ll be one less un- 
washed, shifty-eyed coyote of a Greaser to ride range 
nights.” 

Antonio, drenched and seething with fury, his dis- 
colored face working with passion and his small, cruel 
eyes snapping, sprang to the wall and glared at the man 
who had knocked him down. But for the gun in Cur- 
ley’s hand there would have been the flash of a knife, 
but the Remington was master of the situation. Knife 
throwing is a useful art at times, but it has its limita- 
tions. Cursing in Spanish, he backed away and slunk 
[ 190 ] 


Antonio Leaves the H2 

into his shack as Doc Riley stuck his head out of the 
bunk house doorway, hoping to be entertained. 

“ Worth while hanging ’round, Curley? Any chance 
of seeing a scrap ? ” Doc asked, eying the gun in his 
friend’s hand. 

“ You could ’a seen th’ beginning of a scrap a couple 
of minutes earlier,” Curley replied. “ X didn’t give him 
a chance to throw. Why, he was out all night on Pete, 
yore cayuse — rode him hard, too. He said — ■” 

“My Pete! Out all night on Pete!” yelled Doc, 
taking a quick step towards Antonio’s hut, the door of 
which slammed shut, whereupon Doc shouted out his 
opinions of “ Greasers ” in general and of Antonio in 
particular. “ Is that right ? ” he asked, turning to 
Curley. “ Was he out on Pete? ” 

“ He shore was — used him up, too.” 

“ I’ll break every bone in his yaller carcass ! ” Doc 
shouted, shaking his fist at the hut. “ Every time I see 
him I want to get my gun going, an’ it’s getting worse 
all th’ time. Unwashed pup! I’ll fill him full of lead 
pills surer than anything some of these days, you see 
if I don’t ! ” 

“ If you don’t I will,” replied Curley. “ I just don’t 
know why I didn’t then because — ” 

“ Four bells — grub pile ! ” rang out the stentorian 
voice of Salem, who could shout louder than any man 
on the ranch, and the conversation came to an abrupt 
snd, to be renewed at the table. 

When Antonio heard the cook’s shout he opened the 

[ 191 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

door a trifle and then, seeing that the coast was clear, 
picked up the bundle which contained his belongings, 
shouldered his saddle, slipped his rifle under his arm, 
and ran to the corral. Juan and Sanchez had been there 
before him and he found that they not only had taken 
four of the best horses, but that they had also picketed 
two good ones for him, and had driven off the remainder 
to graze,, which would delay pursuit should it be insti- 
tuted. Saddling the better of the two, he left the other 
and cantered northwest until hidden from the sight of 
any one at the ranch, and then galloped for safety. 

Meeker, returning to the bunk house, found his men 
in far better humor than they were in when he left them, 
although the death and burial of Ed Joyce and the 
other misfortunes of the day before had quieted them ! 
a little. As he entered the room he heard Salem in the 
cook shack, droning a mournful dirge-like air as he j 
slammed things about. 

“ Hey, cook!” shouted the foreman, standing in the 
door of the gallery. “ Cook ! ” 

“ Aye, aye, sir ! ” 

“ You are shore you didn’t recognize none of them I 
thieves that ran off our herd yesterday ? ” 

“ Nary a one, sir. They was running with all sails 
set two points off my port bow, which left me astarn 
of ’em. I was in that water-logged, four-wheeled hulk 
of a chuck wagon an’ I couldn’t overhaul ’em, sir, 
’though I gave chase. I tried a shot with th’ chaser, 1 
but I was rolling so' hard I couldn’t hull ’em. But I’ll 
try again when I’m sober, sir.” 

[ 192 ] 


Antonio Leaves the H2 

66 All right, Salem,” laughed Meeker. “ Curley, you 
take yore regular range. Doc, suppose you take th’ 
west, next to Curley? Chick an’ Dan will have to stay 
here till they get well enough to ride, an’ I’ll need some- 
body on th’ ramch after yesterday, anyhow. Jack, how 
do you feel? Good! Ride between here an’ Eagle. 
I’m going to go down to that town an’ see what I can 
find out.” 

“ But I can ride, Jim,” offered Chick, eagerly. 
“ This arm won’t bother me much. Let me stick close 
to Doc, or one of th’ boys. Maybe they might need 
me, Jim.” 

“ You stay right here, like I said. We’ll have to 
wait till we’re all right before we can get down to 
work in earnest. An’ every one of you look out for 
trouble — shoot first an’ talk after.” He turned again 
to the gallery. “ Salem, kill a cow an’ sun cure th’ 
meat; we might want it in a hurry sometime soon. 
That’ll be one cow they don’t get, anyway.” 

“ Who’s going to ride north, Jim? ” asked Doc. 

“ Nobody ; th’ Bar-20 has been so d — d anxious to 
turn our cows an’ do our herding for us, an’ run th’ 
earth, we’ll just let ’em for a while. Not much danger 
of any rustlers buzzing reckless around that neighbor- 
hood; they’ll earn all they steal if they get away with 
it.” 

I saw her face grow cold in death, 

I saw her — 

came Salem’s voice in a new w^ail. Meeker grabbed 
a quirt and, leaping to the gallery, threw it. The song 
*3 [ 193 1 


Hopalong Cassidy 

stopped short and other words, less tuneful, finished the 
cook’s efforts. 

“ You never mind what you saw! ” shouted the fore- 
man. “ If you can’t sing anything but graveyard 
howls, you shut up yore singer ! 99 


f' 194 J 


CHAPTER XX 


WHAT THE DAM TOLD 

A BOUT the time Meeker caught Antonio prowl- 
ing around the corral, Hopalong stepped out 
of the line house on the Peak and saw the ap- 
proaching storm, which gladdened him, notwithstanding 
the fact that he and Red would ride through it to the 
bunk house. The range was fast drying up, the grass 
was burning under the fierce heat of the sun, and the 
reservoir, evaporating as rapidly as it was supplied, 
sent but little w T ater down the creek through the valley. 
This storm, if it broke over the valley, promised to be 
almost a flood, and would not only replenish the water 
supply, but would fortify the range for quite a while 
against the merciless sun. 

After he had sent Meeker and his men on their home- 
ward journey he ordered all but Red to report to Buck 
at the bunk house, believing that the line fighting was 
at an end for a while, at least. But to circumvent any 
contingency to the contrary, he and Red remained to 
guard the house and discuss the situation. The rest of 
the line riders were glad to get away for a day, as there 
was washing and mending to be done, clothes to be 
[ 195 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

changed, and their supply of cartridges and tobacco 
to be replenished. 

After throwing his saddle on his horse he went back 
to the house to get his “ slicker,” a yellow water-proof 
coat, and saw Red gathering up their few belongings. 

“ Going to rain like th’ devil, Red,” he said. “ We’ll 
get soaked before we reach th’ dam, but it’ll give th’ 
grass a chance, all right. It’s due us, an’ we’re going 
to get it.” 

Red glanced out of the window and saw the onrush- 
ing, low black mass of clouds. <£ Gee ! I reckon ye? 1 
Going to be some fireworks, too.” 

Hopalong, slipping into the hideous slicker, followed 
Red outside and watched him saddle up. “ It’ll seem 
good to be in th’ house again with all th’ boys, an’ eat 
cook’s grub once more. I reckon Frenchy an’ some of 
his squad will drift in — Johnny said he was going to 
ride out that way on his way back an’ tell ’em all th’ 
news.” 

“ Yes. Mind yore business, Ginger!” Red added as 
his horse turned its head and nipped at his arm, half 
in earnest and half in playful expostulation. Ginger 
could not accustom himself to the broad, hind cinch 
which gripped his soft stomach, and he was wont to ob- 
ject to it in his own way. “ Yes, it’s going to be a 
shore enough cloud-burst ! ” Red exclaimed, glancing 
apprehensively at the storm. “ Mebby we better take 
th’ hill trail — we won’t have no cinch fording at th’ 
Bend if that lets loose before we get there. We should 
’a gone home with th’ crowd last night, ’stead of staying 
[1961 


What the Dam Told 

up here. I knowed they wouldn’t try it again — it’s 
all yore fault.” 

“ Oh, yo’re a regular old woman ! ” retorted Hopa- 
long. 46 A wetting will do us good — an’ as for th’ 
ford, I feel like having a swim.” 

The close, humid air stirred and moaned, and fitful 
gusts bent the sparse grass and rustled across the pla- 
teau, picking up dust and sending it eddying along the 
ground. A sudden current of air whined around the 
comers of the line house, slamming the door violently 
and awakening the embers of the fire into a mass of 
glowing coals, which crackled and gave off flying 
.sparks. Several larger embers burst into flame and 
tumbled end over end across the ground, and Hopalong, 
running them down, stamped them out, returning and 
kicking dust over the fire, actuated by the plainsman’s 
instinct. Red watched him and grinned. 

44 Of course that cloud-burst won’t put the fire out,” 
he remarked, sarcastically, although he would have done 
the same thing if his friend had not. 

44 Never go away an’ leave a fire lit,” Hopalong re- 
plied, sententiously, closing the banging door and fast- 
ening it shut. A streak of lightning quivered between 
earth and clouds and the thunder rolled in many rever- 
berations along the cliffs of the valley’s edge, to die out 
on the flat void to the west. Down the wind came the 
haunting wail of a coyote, sounding so close at hand 
that Red instinctively reached for his rifle and looked 
around. 

44 Take mine ! ” jeered Hopalong, mounting, having 

[ 197 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

in mind the greater range of his weapon* 44 You’ll 
shore need it if you want to get that feller. Gee, but 
it’s dark ! ” 

It was dark and the air was so charged with electricity 
that blue points of flame quivered on the ears of their 
horses. 

44 We’re going to get h — 1 ! ” shouted Red above the 
roar of the storm. 64 Every time I spits I make a 
streak in th’ air — an’ ain’t it hot ! ” 

One minute it was dark ; another, the lightning 
showed things in a ghastly light, crackling and boom- 
ing like a huge fireworks exhibition. The two men 
could feel the hearts of their horses pounding against 
their sides, and the animals, nervous as cats, kept their 
ears moving back and forth, the blue sparks ghostly in 
the darkness. 

44 Come on, get out of this,” shouted Hopalong. 
44 D — n it, there goes my hat ! ” and he shot after it. 

For reply Red spurred forward and they rode down 
the steep hill at a canter, which soon changed to a gal- 
lop, then to a dead run. Suddenly there came a roar 
that shook them and the storm broke in earnest, the 
rain pouring down in slanting sheets, drenching them to 
the skin in a minute, for their slickers were no protec- 
tion against that deluge. Hopalong stripped his off, 
to see it tom from his grasp and disappear in the dark- 
ness like a frightened thing. 

44 Go, then ! ” he snapped. 44 1 was roasting in you, 
anyhow ! I won’t have no clothes left by th’ time I hits 
th’ Bend — which is all th’ better for swimming.” 
[ 198 ] 


What the Dam Told 

Red slackened pace, rode at his friend’s side, their 
stirrups almost touching, for it was safer to canter than 
to gallop when they could not see ahead of them. The 
darkness gradually lessened and when they got close to 
the dam they could see as well as they could on any dull 
day, except for a distance — the sheets of water for- 
bade that. 

“What’s that?” Hopalong suddenly demanded, 
drawing rein and listening. A dull roar came from the 
dam and he instinctively felt that something was rad- 
ically wrong. 

“ Water, of course,” Red replied, impatiently. “ This 
is a storm” he explained. 

Hopalong rode out along the dam, followed by Red, 
peering ahead. Suddenly he stopped and swore. 

“She’s busted ! Look there!” 

A turbulent flood poured through a cut ten feet wide 
and roared down the other side of the embankment, 
roiled and yellow. 

“ Good G — d ! She’s a goner shore ! ” cried Red ex- 
citedly. 

“ It shore is — No, Red ! It’s over th’ stone work 
— see where that ripple runs? We can save it if we 
hustle,” Hopalong replied, wheeling. “ Come on ! 
Dead cows’ll choke it — get a move on ! ” 

When Buck had decided to build the dam he had sent 
for an engineer to come out and look the valley over and 
to lay out the lines to be followed. The west end, which 
would be built against the bluff, would be strong; but 
Buck was advised to build a core of rubble masonry for 
[ 199 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

a hundred feet east of the centre, where the embank- 
ment must run almost straight to avoid a quicksand bot- 
tom. This had been done at a great increase over the 
original estimate of the cost of the dam, but now it more 
than paid for itself, for Antonio had dug his trench 
over the rubble core — had he gone down a foot deeper 
he would have struck it and discovered his mistake. 

Hopalong and Red raced along the dam and sepa- 
rated when they struck the plain, soon returning with 
a cow apiece dragging from their lariats, which they 
released and pushed into the torrent. The bodies 
floated with the stream and both men feared their efforts 
were in vain. Then Hopalong uttered a shout of joy, 
for the carcasses, stranding against the top of the 
masonry core, stopped, the water surging over them. 
Racing away again they dragged up more cows until 
the bodies choked the gap, when they brought up arm- 
fuls of brush and threw them before the bodies. Then 
Red espied a shovel, swore furiously at what it told him, 
and fell to throwing dirt into the breach before the 
brush. He had to take it from different places so as 
not to weaken the dam, and an hour elapsed before they 
stopped work and regarded the results of their efforts 
with satisfaction. 

“Well, she’s there yet, and she’ll stay, all right. 
Good thing we didn’t take th’ hill trail,” Hopalong re- 
marked. 

“ Somebody cut it, all right,” Red avowed, looking 
at the shovel in his hands. “ H%! Hoppy, see here! 
This is their work ! ” 


[ 200 ] 


What the Dam Told 

44 Shore enough H2 on th’ handle, but Meeker an* his 
crowd never did that,” Hopalong replied. 44 1 ain’t 
got no love for any of ’em, but they’re too square for 
this sort of a thing. Besides, they w r ant to use this 
water too much to cheat themselves out of every chance 
to get it.” 

44 You may be right — but it’s d — d funny that we 
find their shovel on th’ job,” Red rejoined, scowling at 
the brand burned into the wooden handle. 

44 What’s that 3^0’re treading on ? ” Hopalong asked, 
pointing to a bright object on the ground. 

Red stooped and then shouted, holding up the object 
so his friend could see it. 44 It’s a brass button as big 
as a half-dollar — bet it belonged to th’ snake that 
used this shovel ! ” 

44 Yo’re safe. I won’t bet you — an’ Antonio was 
th’ only one I’ve seen wearing buttons like that in these 
parts,” Hopalong replied. 44 I’m going to kill him on 
sight ! ” and he meant what he said. 

44 Same here, th’ ornery coyote ! ” Red gritted. 

44 That Greaser has had me guessing, but I’m begin- 
ning to see a great big light,” Hopalong remarked, tak- 
ing the button and looking it over. 44 Yep, it’s hissn, 
all right.” 

44 Well, we’ve filled her,” Red remarked after a final 
inspection. 

44 She’ll hold until to-morrow, anyhow, or till we can 
bring th’ chuck wagon full of tools an’ rocks down 
here,” Hopalong replied. 44 We’ll make her solid for 
keeps when we begin. You better take th’ evidence 
[201 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

with yon, Red, an’ let Buck look ’em over. It’s a good 
thing Buck spent that extra money putting in that 
stone core! Besides losing th’ reservoir we’d have had 
plenty of dead cows by this time if it wasn’t for that.” 

44 An’ that Greaser went an’ picked out the weakest 
spot in th’ whole thing, or th’ spot what would be th’ 
weakest if that wall wasn’t there,” Red remarked. 44 He 
ain’t no fool, but a stacked deck can beat a good head 
time after time.” 

When they reached the ford they found a driftwood- 
dotted flood roaring around the bend, three times as 
wide as it was ordinarily, for the hills made a water- 
shed that gave quick results in such a rain. 

44 Now Red Eagle, old cayuse, here’s where you swim,” 
Hopalong laughed, riding up stream so he would not be 
carried past the bottom of the hill trail on the farther 
side. Plunging in the two horses swam gallantly across, 
landing within a few feet of the point aimed at, and 
scrambled up the slippery path, down which poured 
a stream of water. 

When they reached the half-way point between the 
ford and the ranch houses the storm slackened, evolving 
into an ordinary rain, which Hopalong remarked would 
last all day. Red nodded and then pointed to a miser- 
able, rain-soaked calf, which moved away at their ap- 
proach. 

44 Do you see that ! ” he exclaimed. 44 Our brand, an’ 
Meeker’s ear notch ! ” 

44 That explains th’ shovel being left on th’ dam,” 
quickly replied Hopalong. 44 It would be plumb crazy 
[ 202 ] 


What the Dam Told 

for th’ H2 to make a combination like that ear notch 
an’ our brand, an’ you can gamble they don’t know 
nothing about it. Th’ gent that left Meeker’s shovel 
for us to find did that, too. You know if any of th’ 
H2 cut th’ dam they wouldn’t forget to take th’ shovel 
with ’em, Red. It’s Antonio, that’s who it is. He’s 
trying to make a bigger fight along th’ line an’ stir 
things up generally so he can rustle promiscuous. 
Well, we’ll give all our time to th’ rustling end from 
now on, if I have got any voice in th’ matter. An’ I 
hope to th’ Lord I can get within gun range of that 
coyote of a Greaser. Why, by th’ A’mighty, I’ll go 
down an’ plug him on his own ground just as soon as 
I can get away, which will be to-morrow! That’s just 
what I’ll do! I’ll stop his plays or know th’ reason 
why.” 

“ An’ I’m with you — you’ll take a big chance going 
down there alone,” Red replied. “ After Meeker hears 
what we’ve got to say he’ll be blamed glad we came.” 

An hour later they stopped at the ranch house, a 
squat, square building, flat of roof, its adobe walls three 
feet thick and impenetrable to heat. Stripping saddles 
and bridles from their streaming mounts, they drove 
the animals into a large corral and ran to the bunk 
house, where laughter greeted their appearance, 

“ Swimming? ” queried Johnny, putting aside his 
harmonica. 

“ Hey, you ! Get out of here an’ lean up against th’ 
corral till you shed some of that w r ater ! ” cried Lanky, 
the wounded, watching the streams from their clothes 
[ 203 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

run, over the floor. “We’ll be afloat in a minute if 
you don’t get out — we ain’t no fishes.” 

66 You shut up,” retorted Red. “ We’ll put you out 
there to catch what water we missed if you gets funny,” 
he threatened, stripping as rapidly as he could. He 
hung the saturated garments on pegs in the gallery 
wall and had Pete rub him down briskly, while Billy did 
the same for his soaked companion. 

Around them were their best friends, all laughing and 
contented, chaffing and exchanging personal banter 
with each other, engaged in various occupations, from 
sewing buttons on shirts to playing cards and mending 
riding gear. Snatches of songs burst forth at odd 
intervals, while laughter was continually heard. This 
was the atmosphere they loved, this repaid them for 
their hard work, this and the unswerving loyalty, the 
true, deep affection, and good-natured banter that 
pricked but left no sting. Here was one of the lures of 
the range, the perfect fellowship that long acquaintance 
and the sharing of hard work and ubiquitous danger 
breeds among the members of a good, square outfit. 
Not one of them ever counted personal safety before 
duty to his ranch and his companions, taking his hard 
life laughingly and without complaint, generous to a 
fault, truthful and loyal and considerate. There was 
manhood for you, there was contempt for restricting 
conventions, for danger; there was a unity of thought 
and purpose that set the rough-spoken, ready-fighting 
men of the saddle and rope in a niche by themselves, a 
[ 204 ] 


What the Dam Told 

niche where fair play, unselfishness, and a rough but 
sterling honor abides always. Their occupation gave 
more than it exacted and they loved it and the open, 
wind-swept range where they were the dominating living 
forces. 

Buck came in with Frenchy McAllister and Pie Willis 
and grinned at his crowd of happy “ boys,” who gave 
warm welcome. The foreman was not their “ boss,” 
their taskmaster, but he was their best friend, and he 
shared with them the dangers and joys which were their 
lot, sympathetic in his rough w r ay, kind and trusting. 

Hopalong struggling to get his head through a dry 
shirt, succeeded, and swiftly related to his foreman the 
occurrences of the morning, pointing to the shovel and 
button as the total exhibit of his proofs against the 
Mexican. The laughter died out, the banter was 
hushed, and the atmosphere became that of tense hos- 
tility and anger. When he had ceased speaking angry 
exclamations and threats filled the room, coming from 
men wdio always 64 made good.” When Red had told 
of the H2-Bar-20 calf, an air of finality, of conviction, 
settled on them; and it behooved Antonio to hunt a 
new range, for his death would be sudden and merciless 
if he met any of the Bar-20 outfit, no matter when or 
'where. They never forgot. 

After brief argument they came to the decision that 
he w T as connected with the rustling going on around 
them, and this clinched his fate. Several, from the evi- 
dence and from things which they had observed and now 
[205] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

understood, were of the opinion that he was the ring- 
leader of the cattle thieves, the head and the moving 
spirit. 

“ Boys,” Buck remarked, “ we won’t bother about th’ 
line very much for a while. It’s been a peaceable sort of 
a fracas, anyhow, an’ I don’t expect much further 
trouble. If H2 cows straggle across an’ yo’re right 
handy to ’em an’ ain’t got nothing pressing to do, drive 
’em back; but don’t look for ’em particularly. There 
won’t be no more drives against us for a long time. 
We’ve got to hunt rustlers from now on, an’ hunt hard, 
or they’ll get too numerous to handle very easy. Let 
th’ cows take care of themselves along th’ river, Frenchy, 
an’ put your men up near Big Coulee, staying nights 
in Number Two. Pete an’ Billy will go with you. 
That’ll protect th’ west, an’ there won’t be no rustling 
going on from th’ river, nohow. Don’t waste no time 
herding — put it all in hunting. Hopalong, you, 
Johnny, Bed, an’ Skinny take th’ hills country an’ make 
yore headquarters in Number Three an’ Four. Lanky 
will stay up here until he can handle hisself good again. 
I’ll ride promiscuous, but if any of you learn anything 
you want me to know, leave it with Lanky or th’ cook 
if you can’t find me. Just as soon as we have anything 
to go on, we’ll start on th’ war path hot foot an’ clean 
things up right an’ proper.” 

44 What’ll we do if we catches anybody rustling? ” 
asked Johnny, assuming an air of ignorance and curios- 
ity, and ducking quickly as Red swung at him. 

[ 206 ] 


What the Dam Told 

“ Give ’em ten dollars reward an’ let ’em go,” Buck 
grinned. 

“ Give me ten if I brings th’ Greaser to you P ” 

“ I’ll fine you twenty if you waste that much time 
over him,” Buck replied. 

“Whoop!” Johnny exulted. “ Th’ good old times 
are coming back again! Remember Bye-an’-Bye an’ 
Cactus Springs, Buckskin an’ Slippery Trendley? Re- 
member th’ good old scraps? Now we’ll have some- 
thing else to do besides chasing cows an’ wiping th’ rust 
off our guns ! ” 

Lanky, who took keen delight in teasing the young- 
ster, frowned severely. “ Yo’re just a fool kid, just a 
happy idiot!” he snorted, and Johnny looked at him, 
surprised but grinning. “Yes, you are! I never seen 
such a bloody-minded animal in all my born days as you ! 
After all th’ fighting you’ve gone an’ got mixed up in, 
you still yap for more! You makes me plumb dis- 
gusted, you do ! ” 

“ He is awful gory,” remarked Hopalong soberly. 
“ Just a animated massacre in pants.” 

“ Regular Comanche,” amended Red, frowning. 
“ What do you think about him, Frenchy ? ” 

“ I’d ruther not say it,” Frenchy replied. “ You ask 
Pie — he ain’t scared of nothing, massacre or Coman- 
che.” 

Johnny looked around the room and blurted out, 
“ You all think th’ same as me, every one of you, even 
if you are a lot of pussy-cats, an’ you know it, too ! ” 
[ 207 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

64 Crazy as a locoed cow,” Red whispered across the 
room to Buck, who nodded sorrowfully and went into 
the cook shack. 

“ You wait till I sees Antonio an 5 you’ll find out how 
crazy I am!” promised Johnny. 

“ I shore hopes he spanks you an’ sends you home a- 
bawling,” Lanky snorted. 64 You needs a good licking, 
you young cub ! ” 

44 Yah, yah! ” jibed Johnny. 44 Needing an’ getting 
are two different tunes, grand-pop ! ” 

44 You wasn’t down here, was you, Frenchy, when 
Johnny managed to rope a sleepy gray wolf that was 
two years old, an’ tried to make a pet out of him? ” 
asked Hopalong, grinning at his recollection of the af- 
fair. 

44 No! ” exclaimed Frenchy in surprise. 44 Did he do 
it?” 

44 Oh, yes, he did it ; with a gun, after th’ pet had torn 
his pants off an’ chewed him up real well. He’s looking 
for another, because he says that was too mean a beast 
to have any luck with.” 

Buck stepped into the room again. 44 Who wants to 
go with me to th’ dam in th’ w r agon ? ” he asked. 44 1 
want to look at that cut an’ fix it for keeps if it needs 
fixing. All right! All right! Anybody’d think I 
asked you to go to a dance,” he laughed. 44 Pete, you 
an’ Billy an’ Pie will be enough.” 

44 Can’t we ride alongside ? ” asked Pie. 44 Do we have 
to sit in that thing? ” 

44 You can walk, if you want to. I don’t care how 

[ 208 ] 


What the Dam Told 

you go,” Buck replied, stepping into the rain with the 
three men close behind him. Soon the rattling of the 
wagon was heard growing fainter on the plain. 

The banter and the laughter ran on all the rest of the 
morning. After dinner Hopalong built a fire in the 
huge stove and put a ladleful of lead on the coals, while 
[ Frenchy and Skinny re-sized and re-capped shells from 
the boxes on the wall. Hopalong watched the fire and 
smoked the bullet moulds, while Lanky managed to 
measure powder and fill the shells after Frenchy and 
Skinny had finished with them. Hopalong filled the 
moulds rapidly while Johnny took out the bullets and 
cooled them by dropping them into cold rain water, be- 
ing cautioned by Hopalong not to splash any water into 
the row of moulds. As soon as he found them? cool 
enough, Johnny wiped them dry and passed them on to 
Red, who crimped them into the charged shells. Soon 
the piles of cartridges grew to a goodly size, and when 
the last one had been finished the crowd fell to play- 
I ing cards until supper was ready. Hopalong, who had 
kept on running bullets, sorted them, and then dropped 
them into the boxes made for each size. Finally he 
stopped and went to the door to look for signs of the 
morrow’s weather. 

“ Clearing up in th’ west an’ south — here comes 
Buck an’ th’ others,” he called over his shoulder. 
“ How was it, Buck? ” he shouted, and out of the 
gathering dusk came the happy reply : 

“ Bully ! ” 


14 


[ 209 ] 


CHAPTER XXI 


HOPALONG RIDES SOUTH 

T HE morning broke clear and showed a clean, 
freshened plain to the men who rode to the line 
house on the Peak, there to take up their quar- 
ters and from there to ride as scouts. Hopalong sent 
Red to ride along the line for the purpose of seeing 
how things were in that vicinity and, leaving the others 
to go where they wished, struck south down the side of 
the hill, intending to hunt Antonio on his own ground. 
Tied to his saddle was the shovel and in his pocket he 
carried the brass button, his evidence for Meeker. As he 
rode at an easy lope he kept a constant lookout for signs 
of rustling. Suddenly he leaned forward and tightened 
his knee grip, the horse responding by breaking into a 
gallop, while its rider took up his lariat, shaking it into 
a long loop, his twisting right wrist imparting enough 
motion to it to keep it clear of the vegetation and rocks. 

A distant cow wheeled sharply and watched him for a 
moment and then, snorting, its head down and its tail 
up, galloped away at a speed not to be found among do- 
mesticated cattle. It was bent upon only one tiling — 
to escape that dreaded, whirling loop of rawhide, so 

rsio] 


Hopalong Rides South 

pliant and yet so strong. Hopalong, not as expert a s 
Lanky, who carried a rope nearly sixty feet long and 
who could place it where he wished, used one longer than 
the more common lariats. 

The cow did its best, but the pony steadily gained, 
nimbly executing quick turns and jumping gullies, up 
one side of a hill and down the other, threading its way 
with precision through the chaparrals and deftly avoid- 
ing the holes in its path. Closer and closer together 
came the pursued and pursuers, and then the long rope 
shot out and sailed through the air, straight for the an- 
imal’s hind legs. As it settled, a quick upward jerk of 
the arm did the rest and there was a snubbing of rope 
around the saddle horn, a sudden stopping and dropping 
back on haunches on the part of the pony, and the cow 
went down heavily. The rider did not wait for the 
horse to get set, but left the saddle as soon as the rope 
had been securely snubbed, and ran to the side of his 
victim. 

The cow was absolutely helpless, for the rope was 
taut, the intelligent pony leaning back and being too 
well trained to allow the least amount of slack to bow 
the rawhide closer to the earth. Therefore Hopalong 
gave no thought to his horse, for while cinches, pommel, 
and rope held, the small, wiry, wild-eyed bundle of gal- 
vanic cussedness would hold the cow despite all its efforts 
to get up. 

“ Never saw that brand before, an’ I’ve rid all over 
this country for a good many years, too,” he solilo- 
quized. “ There sure ain’t no HQQ herd dow r n this 
[ 211 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

way, nor no place close enough for a stray. Somebody 
is shore starting a herd on his own hook ; from th’ cows 
on this range, too. 

“ By th’ great horned spoon ! I can see Bar-20 in 
them marks ! ” he cried, bending closer. 44 All he had to 
do was to make a H out of th’ Bar, close up th’ 2, an’ 
put a tail on th’ O! Hum — whoop! There is H2 
in it, too! Close th’ 2 an’ add a Q, an’ there you are! 
I don’t mind a hog once in a while, but working both 
ranches to a common mark is shore too much for me. 
Stealing from both ranches an’ markin ’em all HQQ!” 

He moved up to look at the ears and swore when he 
saw them. 44 D — n it ! That’s all I want to know ! 
Mebby a sheriff wouldn’t get busy on th’ evidence, but I 
ain’t no sheriff — I’m just a plain cow-punch with good 
common sense. Meeker’s cut is a V in one ear — here I 
finds a slant like Skinny saw, an’ in both ears. If that 
don’t cut under Meeker’s notch I’m a liar! All framed 
up to make a new herd out of our cows. Just let me 
catch some coyote with a running iron under his saddle 
flap an’ see what happens ! ” 

He quickly slacked the rope and slipped off the noose, 
running as fast as he could go to his pony, for some 
cows get 44 on the prod ” very easily, and few cows are 
afraid of a man on foot; and when a long-horned Texas 
cow has 44 its dander up,” it is not safe for an un- 
mounted man to take a chance with its horns, unless he 
is willing to shoot it down. This Hopalong would not 
do, for he did not want to let the rustlers know that the 
new brand had been discovered. Vaulting into his sad- 
[ 212 ] 


Hopalong Rides South 

die he eluded the charge of the indignant cow and loped 
south, coiling up his- rope as he went. 

Half an hour after leaving the HQQ cow he saw a 
horseman ahead of him, threading his w T ay through a 
chaparral. As Hopalong overtook him the other i 
emerged and stopped, uncertain whether to reach for his j 
gun or not. It was Juan, who had not gone to Mesa 
overnight, scouting to learn if any new developments 
had taken place along the boundary. Juan looked at 
the shovel and then at the puncher, his face expression- 
less. 

Hopalong glanced at the other’s cuff, found it was all 
right, and then forced himself to smile. “ Looking for 
rustlers ? ” he bantered. 

“ Si” 

“ What ! There ain’t no rustlers loose on this range, 
is there? ” asked Hopalong, surprised. 

“ Quien sabe? 99 

66 Oh, them sleepers were made by yore own, lazy out- 
fit, an’ you might as well own up to it,” Hopalong 
grinned, deprecatingly. “ You can fool Meeker, all 
right, he’s easy ; but you can’t throw dust in my eyes 
like that. On th’ level, now, ain’t I right? Didn’t you 
fillers make them sleepers ? ” 

Juan shrugged his shoulders. “ Quien sabe? 99 

“ That ‘ Quien sabe 9 is th’ handiest an’ most used 
pair of words in yore cussed language,” replied Hopa- 
long grinning. “ Ask one of you fellers something you 
don’t want to tell an’ it’s ‘ Quien sabe ? 9 ain’t it? ” 

66 Si ” laughed the Mexican. 

[ 213 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

t6 I thought so,” Hopalong retorted. “ You can’t 
tell me that any gang that would cut a dam like they 
did oum wouldn’t sleeper, an’ don’t you forget it, 
neither ! ” 

Juan’s face cleared for a moment as he gloated over 
how Antonio’s scheme had worked out, and he laughed. 
“ No can fool you, hey?” Then he pressed his knee 
tighter against his saddle skirt and a worried look came 
into his eyes. 

Hopalong took no apparent, notice of the action, but 
he saw it, and it sent one word burning through his 
brain. They were riding at a walk now and Hopalong, 
not knowing that Juan had left the H2, suggested that 
they ride to the ranch together. He was watching the 
Mexican closely, for it would not be unusual for a man in 
Juan’s position to try to get out of it by shooting. 
The Mexican refused to ride south and Hopalong, who 
was determined to stay with his companion until he 
found out w r hat he wanted to know, proposed a race to 
a barranca that cut into the plain several hundred yards 
ahead. He would let Juan beat him, and all the way, 
so he could watch the saddle flap, and if this failed he 
would waste no more time in strategy, but would find 
out about it quickly. Juan also declined to race, and very 
hurriedly, for the less his saddle was jolted the better 
it would be for him. He knew Hopalong’s reputation 
as a revolver fighter and would take no chances. 

“ That ain’t a bad cayuse you got there. I was won- 
dering if it could beat mine, what’s purty good itself. 
Is it very bronc?” he asked, kicking the animal in the 
[ 214 ] 


Hopalong Rides South 

ribs, whereupon it reared and pranced. Juan’s left 
hand went to the assistance of his knee, his right grasped 
the cantle of his saddle, where it was nearer the butt 
of his Colt, and a look of fear came into his eyes. 

Hopalong watched his chance and as the restive ani- ! 
mal swung towards him he spurred it viciously, at the 
same time crying : “ Take yore hand from off that 

flap, you d — d cow-lifter!” 

The command was unnecessary, for a thin, straight 
rod of iron slipped down and stuck in the sand, having 
worked loose from its lashings. Mexican-like, Juan 
had put off until to-morrow to heat it and bend a loop 
in one end for more secure fastening. 

At the instant it fell Juan leaned back and dropped 
over on the far side of his horse, his right leg coming 
up level with his enemy, and reached for his gun, in- 
tending to shoot through the end of the holster and 
save time. But he went farther than he had intended, 
not stopping until he struck the earth, his bullet missing 
Hopalong by only a few inches. 

The Bar-20 puncher slipped his Colt back into the 
sheath and, leaning down, deftly picked up the iron 
and fastened it to his saddle. Roping the Mexican’s 
horse he continued on his way to the H2, leaving Juan 
where he had fallen. 

When he arrived at the ranch he turned the horse 
into the corral and started to ride to the bunk house; 
but Salem, enjoying a respite from cooking and washing 
dishes, saw him and started for him on an awkward 
run, crying: 


[ 215 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ Where’d you git that hoss? Where’ d you clear 
from, an’ who are you? ” 

“ Th’ cayuse belongs to Meeker — Juan was riding 
it. Is anybody around? ” 

“ I’m around, ain’t I, you fog-eyed lubber! Where’s 
th’ Lascar ? Who are you ? ” 

“ Well, Duke, I’m from th’ Bar-20, an’ my name is 
Hop — ” 

“ Weigh anchor an’ ’bout ship ! You can’t make this 
port, you wind-jamming pirate! ” 

“ I want to see yore foreman. This is his shovel, 

an’ I — ” 

“ Then where’d you get it, hey ? How’d you get 
his — ” 

“ Hang it ! ” interrupted Hopalong, losing his pa- 
tience. “ I tell 3'ou I want to see Meeker ! I want to 
see him about some — ” 

“ An’ where’s th’ coolie that rid that hoss ? ” de- 
manded the cook, belligerently. 

“ You won’t see that thief no more. That’s one of 
th’ things I want to — ” 

“Hooray!” cried Salem. “Was he drowned, or 
shanghaied? ” 

“Was he what? What are you talking about, any- 
how? Where did you ever learn how to talk Chinese? ” 

“What! Chinese! You whale-bellied, barnacle- 
brained bilge pirate, I’ve got a good notion — ” 

“ Say, is there anybody around here that ain’t loco? 
Are they all as crazy as you? ” Hopalong asked. 

[ 216 ] 


Hopalong Rides South 

Salem grabbed up one of the bars of the corral gate 
and, roaring strange oaths, ran at the stranger, but 
Hopalong spurred his horse and kept clear of the pole 
while Salem grew short winded and more profane. 
Then the puncher thought of Mary and cantered 
towards the ranch house intending to ask her where 
he could find her father, thus combining business with 
pleasure. Salem shook the pole at him and then espied 
the saddled horse in the corral. He disliked horses as 
much as they disliked him, so much, in fact, that he said 
the only reason he did not get out of the country 
and go back to the sea was because he had to ride a 
horse to do it. But any way was acceptable under the 
present exigencies, so he clambered into the saddle after 
more or less effort and found it not quite roomy enough 
for one of his growing corpulency. Shouting “ Let 
fall!” he cantered after the invader of his ranch, wav- 
ing the pole valiantly. He did not see that the ears of 
his mount were flattened or that its eyes were growing 
murderous in their expression, and he did not know that 
the lower end of the pole was pounding lustily against 
the horse’s legs every time he waved the weapon. All 
he thought about was getting his pleasant duty over 
with as soon as possible, and he gripped the pole more 
firmly. 

Hopalong looked around curiously to see what the 
cook was doing to make all that noise, and when he saw 
he held his sides. “ Well, if th’ locoed son-of-a-gun 
ain’t after me! Lord! Hey, stranger,” he shouted, 

[* 1*3 


Hopalong Cassidy 

i6 if you want him to run fast, take hold of his tail an’ 
pull it three times ! ” 

He was not averse to having a little fun at the 
tenderfoot’s expense and he deferred his visit to the 
house to circle around the angry cook and shout advice. 
Instead of laying the reins against his mount’s neck to 
turn it, Salem jerked on them, which the indignant 
animal instantly resented. It had felt all along that 
it was being made a fool of and imposed upon, but 
now it would have a sweet revenge. Leaping forward 
suddenly it stopped stiff-legged and arched its back 
several times with all the force it was capable of ; but 
it could have stopped immediately after the first pitch, 
for Salem, still holding to the pole, executed a more or 
less graceful parabola and landed in a sitting posture 
amid much dust. 

“ Whoof! What’d we strike? ” he demanded dazedly. 
Then, catching sight of the cause of his flight, which 
was at that moment cropping an overlooked tuft of grass 
as if it were accustomed to upsetting pole-waving cooks, 
Salem scrambled to his feet and ran at it, getting in 
one good whack before the indignant and groping pony 
. could move. 

/ 44 There, blast you ! ” he yelled. “ I’ll show you 

•what you get for a trick like that!” Turning, and 
seeing Hopalong laughing until the tears ran down his 
face, he roared, 44 What are you laughing at, d — n 
you?” 

A rope sailed out and tightened around Salem’s feet 
and he once more sat down, unable to arise this tim^ 
[ 218 ] 


Hopalong Rides South 

because of Hopalong’s horse, which backed slowly, step 
by step, dragging the captive, who was now absolutely 
helpless. 

“Now I want to talk to you for a few minutes, an’ 
I’m going to,” Hopalong remarked. “ Will you listen 
quietly or will you risk losing th’ seat of yore pants? 
You’ve got to listen, anyhow.” 

“ Wha — what go ahead, only stop th’ head- 

way of yore craft ! Lay to ! I’m on th’ rocks ! ” 

Laughing, Hopalong rode closer to him. u Where’s 
Antonio ? ” 

“ In h — 1, I hope, leastwise that’s where he ought to 
be.” 

“Well, I*just sent his friend Juan there — had to; 
he toted a running iron an’ — ” 

“Did you? Did you?” cried Salem in accents of 
joy. “Why didn’t you say so before! Come in an’ 
splice th’ main brace, shipmate! That cross between a 
nigger an’ a Chinee is in Davy Jones’ locker, is he? 
Hey, wait till I get these lashings cast off — yo’re a 
good hand after all. Come in an’ have some grog — * 
best stuff this side of Kentucky, where it was made.” 

“ I ain’t got time,” replied Hopalong, smiling. 
“ Where’s that Greaser broncho-buster? ” 

“ Going to send him down too ? D — n my tops’ls, 
wish I knowed! He deserted, took shore leave, an’ ain’t 
reported since. Yo’re clipper-rigged, a regular AB, 
you ared Spin us th’ yarn, matey.” 

Hopalong told him about the dam and the shooting 
of Juan and gave him the shovel and button for 
[ 219 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

Meeker, Salem’s mouth wide open at the recital. When 
he had finished the cook grabbed his stirrup and urged 
him towards the grog, but Hopalong laughingly de- 
clined and, looking towards the ranch house, saw Jim 
Meeker riding like mad in their direction. 

46 What do you want? ” blazed the foreman, drawing 
rein, his face dark with anger. 

46 1 want to plug Antonio, an’ his friend Sanchez,” 
Hopalong replied calmly. 44 I just caught Juan with a 
running iron under his saddle flap an’ I drilled him for 
good. Here’s th’ iron.” 

44 Good for you!” cried Meeker, taking the rod. 
44 They’ve jumped, all of ’em. I’m looking for ’em 
myself, an’ we’re all looking for coyotes toting these 
irons. I’m glad you got one of ’em ! ” 

44 Antonio scuttled their dike — here’s th’ shovel he 
did it with,” interrupted Salem eagerly. 44 An’ here’s 
th’ button off th’ Greaser’s jacket. He left it by th’ 
shovel. My mate, here, is cruising to fall in with ’em, 
an’ when he does there’ll be — ” 

44 Why, that’s my shovel ! ” cried Meeker. 44 An* 
that’s his button, all right.” 

Hopalong told him all about the attempt to cut the 
dam and when he had ceased Meeker swore angrily. 
44 Them Greasers are on th’ rustle, shore ! They’re try- 
ing to keep th’ fighting going on along th’ line so 
we’ll be too busy to bother ’em in their stealing. I’ve 
been losing cows fight an’ left — why, they run off a 
herd of beef right here by th’ houses. Salem saw ’em. 
They killed cows down south an’ covered my range with 
[ 220 ] 


Hopalong Rides South 

sleepers an’ lame mothers. How did you come to guess 
he had an iron? ” 

Hopalong told of the HQQ cow he had found and, 
dismounting, traced the brand in the sand, Meeker 
bending over eagerly. 

“You see this Bar-20?” he asked, pointing it out, 
and his interested companion interrupted him with a 
curse. 

“ Yes, I do; an’ do you see this H2? ” he demanded. 
“ They’ve merged our brands into one — stealing from 
both of us ! ” 

“Yes. I figgered that out when I saw th’ mark; 
i that’s one of th’ things I came down to tell you about,” 
I-Iopalong replied, mounting again. “ An’ Red an’ me 
found a Bar-20 calf with a V ear notch, too. That 
proves what th’ dam was cut for, don’t it? ” 

“ Why didn’t I drop that coyote when I caught him 
skulking th’ other morniag ! ” growled Meeker, regret- 
fully. “ He had just come back from yore dam then 
— had yaller mud on his cayuse an’ his stirrups. Out 
all night on a played-out bronc, an’ me too thick to 
guess he was up to some devilment an’ shoot him for 
it! Oh, h — 1! I thought purty hard of you, Cassidy, 
but I reckon we all make mistakes. Any man what 
would stop to think out th’ real play when he found 
that shovel is square.” 

“ Oh, that’s all right. I alius did hate Greasers, an’ 
mebby that was why I suspected him, that an’ th’ but- 
ton.” 

Meeker turned to the cook. “ Where’s Chick an’ 

,[221 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

Dan ? ” he asked, impatiently. 64 1 ain’t seen ’em 
around.” 

44 Why, Chick rid off down south an’ Dan cleared 
about an hour ago.” 

44 What! With that leg of hissen! ” 

44 Aye, aye, sir ; he couldn’t leave it behind, you 
know, sir.” 

44 All right, Cassidy; much obliged. I’ll put a stop 
to th’ rustling on my range, or know th’ reason why. 
D — n th’ day I ever left Montanny ! ” Meeker swore, 
riding towards the ranch house. 

44 Say, I hope you find them Lascars,” remarked 
Salem. 44 Yo’re th’ boy that’ll give ’em what they needs. 
Wish you had caught ’em all four instead of only one.” 

Hopalong smiled. 44 Then they might ’a got me in- 
stead.” 

44 No, no, siree!” exclaimed the cook. 44 You can 
lick ’em all, an’ I’ll gamble on it, too! But you better 
come in an’ have a swig o’ grog before you weighs 
anchor, matey. As I was saying, it’s th’ best grog 
west of Kentucky. Come on in ! ” 


[m] 


CHAPTER XXII 


LUCAS VISITS THE PEAK 

W HEN Hopalong returned to the line 
house on the Peak he saw Johnny and 
Skinny talking with Lucas, the C80 fore- 
man, and he hailed them. 

“ Hullo, Lucas ! 99 he cried. “ What are you doing 
down here? ” 

“ Glad to see you, Hopalong,” Lucas replied, shak- 
[I ing hands. “Came down to see Buck, but Lanky, up 
in th’ bunk house, said he was off somewhere scouting. 

| From what Lanky said I reckon you fellers had a little 
joke down here last week.” 

“ Yes,” responded Hopalong, dismounting. “ It was 
| a sort of a joke, except that somebody killed one of 
1 Meeker’s men. I’ll be blamed if I know who done it. 
Lanky says he didn’t an’ he don’t have to deny a thing 
like that neither. Looks to me like he caught some 
brand-blotter dead to rights, like I did a little while ago, 
an’ like he got th’ worst of th’ argument. Lanky 
would ’a told me if he did it, an’ don’t you forget it, 
neither.” 

[ 223 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

46 What’s that about catching somebody dead to 
rights? 09 eagerly asked Johnny. 

“ Who was it? ” asked Skinny. 

“ Juan. He toted a running iron an’ I caught him J 
just after I looked over a cow with a new brand — ” 

“ Did you get him good? 99 quickly asked Johnny. ; 
“ Did he put up a fight ? ” 

“Yes; an’ what was th’ brand?” Skinny inter- 
posed. 

“ Here, here ! ” laughed Hopalong. “ I reckon I’ll 
save time if I tell you th’ whole story,” and he gave a 
short account of his ride, interrupted often by the in- 
quisitive and insistent Johnny. 

“An’ who is Salem?” Johnny asked. 

“ Meeker’s cook.” 

“ What did Meeker say about it when you told him ? ” 

“ Gimme a chance to talk an’ I’ll tell you ! ” and 
Johnny remained silent for a moment. Finally the I 
story was told and Johnny, who had been swearing j 
vengeance on all “ Greasers,” asked one more question, ' 
grinning broadly: 

“ An’ what did Mary say ? ” 

“You say Meeker lost a whole herd?” asked Lucas. 

“ Let me tell you there’s more people mixed up in this ! 
rustling than we think. But I’ll tell you one thing ; that 
herd didn’t go north, unless they drove ten miles east or 
west of our range.” 

“ Well, I reckon it’s under one man, all right,” Hop- 
along replied. “ If it was a lot of separate fellers run- 
ning it by themselves there’d ’a been a lot of blunders 
[ 224 ] 


Lucas Visits the Peak 

an’ some few of ’em would ’a been shot before Juan 
went. It’s a gang, all right. But why th’ devil did 
they turn loose that H2 rebranded cow, that HQQ that 
I found? They might ’a knowed it would cause some 
hot thinking when it was found. That cow is just about 
going to lick ’em.” 

44 Stray,” sententiously remarked Skinny. 

44 Shore, that’s what it was,” Lucas endorsed. 

44 An’ do you know what that means?” asked Hopa- 
long, looking from face to face. 44 It means that they 
can’t be holding their herds very far away. It’s three 
to one that I’m right.” 

44 Mebby they’re down in Eagle,” suggested Johnny 
: hopefully, for Eagle would be a good, exciting proposi- 
: tion in a fight. 

44 No, it ain’t there,” Hopalong replied. “ There’s 
;i too many people down there. They would all know 
! about it an’ want a share in th’ profits; but it ain’t a 
whole lot foolish to say that Eagle men are in it.” 

44 Look here ! ” cried Skinny. 44 Mebby that HQQ is 
! their road brand — that cow might ’a strayed from 
! their drive. They’ve got to have some brand on cows 
they sell, an’ they can’t leave ours on an’ get back 
alive.” 

44 You are right, but not necessarily so about th’ 

| road brand,” Hopalong rejoined. 44 But that don’t tell 
us where they are, does it? ” 

44 We’ve got to hunt HQQ cows on th’ drive,” 
Johnny interposed as Skinny was about to speak. 44 I’ll 
go down to Eagle an’ see if I can’t get on to a drive. 
15 [ 225 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

Then I’ll trail th’ gang all th’ way an’ back to where 
they hangs out. That’ll tell us where to go, all right.” 

44 You keep out of Eagle — you’d be shot before you 
reached Quinn’s saloon,” Hopalong said. 44 No; it ain’t 
Eagle, not at all. See here, Lucas ; have you watched 
them construction camps along that railroad? There 
ain’t a better market nowhere than them layouts; they 
don’t ask no questions if th’ beef is cheap.” 

44 Yes, I’ve watched th’ trails leading to ’em.” 

64 Why, they wouldn’t cross yore range ! ” Hopalong 
cried. 44 They’d drive around you an’ hit th’ camp 
from above ; they ain’t fools. Hey! I’ve got it! They 
can’t go around tli’ Double Arrow unless they are will- 
ing to cross th’ Staked Plain, an’ you can bet they 
ain’t. That leaves th’ west, an’ there’s a desert out 
there they wouldn’t want to tackle. They drive between 
th’ desert an’ yore range.” 

44 If they drive to th’ camps, yo’re right without a 
doubt,” Skinny remarked. 44 But mebby they are driv- 
ing south — mebby they’re starting a ranch along th’ 
Grande, or across it.” 

44 Well, we’ll take th’ camps first,” Hopalong re- 
plied. 44 Lucas, can you spare a man to look them 
camps over? Somebody that can live in ’em a month, 
if he has to? ” 

44 Shore. Wood Wright is just th’ man.” 

44 No, he ain’t th’ man,” contradicted Hopalong 
quickly. 44 Anybody that wears chaps, or walks like he 
does would arouse suspicion in no time, an’ get piped 
[ 226 ] 


Lucas Visits the Peak 

out some night. This man has got to have business up 
there, like looking for a job. Say! Can you get 
along without yore cook for a while? If you can’t we 
will ! ” 

“ You bet yore life I can! ” exulted Lucas. 44 That’s 
good. He can get a job right where th’ meat is used, 
an’ where th’ hides will be kicking around. He goes to- 
morrow ! ” 

44 That’s th’ way ; th’ sooner th’ better,” Hopalong 
i responded. 44 But we won’t wait for him. We’ll scout 
around lively down here an’ if we don’t find anything 
he may. But for th’ Lord’s sake, don’t let him ride a 
| cayuse into that camp that has brands of this section. 
Cowan will be glad to lend you his cayuse ; he got it up 
north too far to make ’em suspicious.” 

44 Yes ; I reckon that’ll be about the thing.” 

64 Here comes Red,” Johnny remarked. 44 Hey, Red, 
Hoppy got Juan this morning. Caught him toting a 
straight iron ! ” 

44 Johnny, you get away lively an’ tell Frenchy to 
scout west,” Hopalong ordered. 44 You can stay up in 
Number Two with them to-night, but come down here 
again in th’ morning. Red, to-morrow at daylight we 
go west an’ comb that country.” 

44 That’s th’ way,” remarked Lucas, mounting. 
44 Get right at it. Have you got any word for Buck ? 
I’ll go past th’ house an’ leave it if you have.” 

‘ 4 Yes ; tell him what we’ve talked over. An’ you 
might send yore outfit further west, too,” Hopalong 
[5W] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

responded. 44 I’ll bet a month’s pay we end this cow* 
lifting before two more weeks roll by. We’ve got 
to!” 

44 Oh, yes ; I near forgot it — Bartlett thinks we-all 
ought to get together after th’ rustling is stopped an’ 
shoot that town of Eagle 'plumb off th’ earth,” Lucas 
said. 44 It’s only a hell hole, anyhow, an’ it won’t do 
no harm to wipe it out.” He looked around the 
group. 44 What do you fellers think about it ? ” he 
asked. 

44 Well, we might, then ; we’ve got too many irons m 
th’ fire now, though,” Hopalong replied. 44 Hey, 
Johnny! Get a-going! We’ll talk about Eagle 
later.” 

44 I’m forgetting lots of things,” laughed Lucas . 
44 We had a little fight up our way th’ other day. 
Caught a feller skinning one of Bartlett’s cows, what 
had strayed over on us. Got him dead to rights, too. 
He put up a fight while he lasted. Said his name was 
Hawkins.” 

44 Hawkins ! ” exclaimed Hopalong. 44 I’ve heard 
that name somewhere.” 

44 Why, that’s th’ name on th’ notice of reward 
posted in Cowan’s,” Red supplied. 44 He’s wanted for 
desertion from th’ army, an’ for other things. They 
want him bad up at Roswell, an’ they’ll pay for him, 
dead or alive.” 

44 Well, they won’t get him; he ain’t keeping good 
enough,” Lucas replied. 44 An’ we don’t want that kind 
of money. So long,” and he was off. 

[ 228 ] 


Lucas Visits the Peak 

44 So you got Juan,” Red remarked. 44 You ought 
to have took him alive — we could get it all out of him 
an’ find out where his friends are hanging out.” 

44 He went after his gun, an’ he had an iron,” Hopa- 
long replied. 44 1 didn’t know he had left Meeker, an’ 
I didn’t stop to think. You see, he was a brand-blot- 
ter.” 

44 What’s Meeker going to do about th’ line ? ” Red 
asked. 

44 Nothing for a while; he’s too worried an’ busy look- 
ing after his sleepers. He ain’t so bad, after all.” 

44 Say,” remarked Skinny, thoughtfully. 44 Mebby 
that gang is over east, like Trendley was. There’s 
lots of water thereabouts, an’ good grass, too, in th’ 
Panhandle. Look how close it is to Fort Worth an’ th’ 
railroad.” 

44 Too many people over there,” Hopalong replied. 
44 An’ they know all about th’ time we killed Trendley 
an’ wiped out his gang. They won’t go where they 
are shore we’ll look.” 

44 If I can get sight of one of them Greasers I’ll 
find out where they are,” Red growled. 44 I’ll put 
green rawhide around his face if I have to, an’ when 
he sawys what th’ sun is going to do to that hide an’ 
him, he’ll talk, all right, an’ be glad of th’ chance.” 

44 To hear you, anybody would think you’d do a 
thing like that,” Hopalong laughed. 44 1 reckon he’d 
drop at eight hundred, clean an’ at th’ first shot. But, 
say, green rawhide wouldn’t do a thing to a man’s face 5 
would it ! When it shrunk he’d know it, all right.” 

[ 2 * 9 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ Crush it to a pulp,” Skinny remarked. “ But 
who is going to cook th’ supper? I’m starved.” 

Hopalong awakened suddenly and listened and found 
Red also awake. Hoofbeats were coming towards the 
; house and Hopalong peered out into the darkness to 
see who it was, his Colt ready. 

44 Who’s that ? ” he challenged, sharply, the clicks of 
his gun ringing clear in the night air. 

44 Why, me,” replied a well-known voice. 44 Who’d 
you think it was ? ” 

46 Why didn’t you stay up in Number Two, like I 
told you ? What’s wrong ? ” 

44 Nothing,” Johnny replied, stripping off his saddle 
and bridle. 

44 An’ you came all th’ way down here in th’ dark, 
just to wake us up? ” Hopalong asked, incredulously. 
44 Twenty miles just for that! ” 

44 No. I ain’t got here yet — I’m only half way,” 
Johnny retorted. 44 Can’t you see I’m here? An’ I 
didn’t care about you waking up. I wanted to get 
here, an’ here I am.” 

“ In th’ name of heaven, are you drunk, or crazy ? ” 
. asked Red. 44 Of all th’ d — n fools I ever — ” 

44 Oh, shut up, all of you ! ” growled Skinny, turn- 
ing over in his bunk. 44 Lot of locoed cusses that don’t 
know enough to keep still! Let th’ Kid alone, why 
don’t you!” he muttered, and was sound asleep again. 

44 No, I ain’t drunk or crazy ! Think I was going to 
stay up there when you two fellers are going off scout- 
[230 ] 


Lucas Visits the Peak 

ing to-morrow? Not by a jugful! I ain’t letting noth- 
ing get past me, all right,” Johnny rejoined. 

“ Well, you ain’t a-going, anyhow,” muttered Hopa- 
long, crawling into his bunk again. “ You’ve got to 
stay with Skinny — ” he did not speak very loud, be- : 
cause he knew it would cause an argument, and he 
wished to sleep instead of talk. 

“ What’d you say?” demanded Johnny. 

“ For G — d’s sake! ” marvelled Red. “ Can’t nobody 
go an’ scratch ’emselves unless th’ Kid is on th’ ground? 
Come in here an’ get to sleep, you coyote ! ” 

Adown th’ road, his gun in hand. 

Comes Whiskey Bill, mad Whiskey — 

Johnny hummed. “Hey! What you doing?” he 
yelled, leaping back. 

“ You heave any more guns on my face an’ you’ll 
find out ! ” roared Skinny, sitting up and throwing 
Johnny’s Colt and belt to the floor. “Fool infant!” 

“ Tumble in an’ shut up ! ” cried Red. “ We want 
some sleep, you sage hen ! ” 

“ Yo’re a lot of tumble-bugs!” retorted Johnny, in- 
dignantly. “ How did I know Skinny had his face 
where I threw my gun! He’s so cussed thin I can’t 
hardly see him in daylight, th’ chalk mark! Why 
didn’t he say so ? Think I can see in th’ dark ? ” 

“ I don’t talk in my sleep ! ” retorted Skinny, “ or 
go flea-hopping around in th’ dark like a — ” 

“ Shut up /’” shouted Hopalong, and silence at last 
ensued. 


[231 ] 


CHAPTER XXIII 


HOPALONG AND RED GO SCOUTING 

A S Hopalong and Red rode down the slope of 
the Peak the rays of the sun flashed over 
the hills, giving promise of a very hot 
day. They were prepared to stay several days, if 
need be, on the semi-arid plain to the west of them, for 
it would be combed thoroughly before they returned. 
On they loped, looking keenly over the plain and oc- 
casionally using their field glasses to more closely 
scrutinize distant objects, searching the barrancas and 
coulees and threading through mesquite and cactus 
growths. Hopalong momentarily expected to find 
signs of what they were looking for, while Red, ac- 
cording to his habit, was consistently contradictory in 
his words and disproportionately pessimistic. 

Moving forward at a swinging lope they began to 
circle to the west and as they advanced Hopalong be- 
came eager and hopeful, while his companion grumbled 
more and more. In his heart he believed as Hopalong 
did, but there had to be something to talk about to 
pass the time more pleasantly; so when they met in 
[ 232 ] 


Hopalong and Red Go Scouting 

some barranca to ride together for a short distance 
they exchanged pleasantries. 

44 Yo’re showing even more than yore usual amount 
of pig-headed ignorance to-day,” Hopalong grumbled. 
“ Yore blasted, ingrowing disposition has been shed- 
ding cussedness at every step. I’ll own up to being 
some curious as to when it’s going to peter out.” 

44 As if that’s any of yore business,” retorted Red. 
44 But I’ll just tell you, since you asks; it’s going to 
stop w r hen I get good an’ ready, savvy ? ” 

44 Yo’re awful cheerful at times,” sarcastically snorted 
his companion. 

Red’s eyes had betii roving over the plain and now 
he raised his glasses and looked steadily ahead. 

44 What’s that out there ? Dead cow ? ” he asked, 
calmly. 

Hopalong put his glasses on it instantly. 44 Cow ? ” 
he asked, witheringly. 44 No; it’s an over-grown lizard! 
Come on,” he cried, spurring forward, Red close behind 
him. 

Riding around it they saw that it bore the brand of 
the H2, and Hopalong, dismounting, glanced it over 
quickly and swore. 

44 Shot in th’ head — w r hat did I tell you ! ” 

44 You didn’t have to get off yore cayuse to see that,” 
retorted Red. 44 But get on again, an’ come along. 
There’s more out here. I’ll take th’ south end of this 
- — don’t get out of hearing.” 

44 Wait ! Wonder why they shot it, instead of driv- 

[ 233 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

ing it off after they got it this far? ” Hopalong 
mused. 

46 Got on th’ prod, I reckon, leaving its calf an’ 
being run so hard. I’ve seen many a one I’d like to 
have shot. Looks to me like they hang out around that 
water hole — they drove it that way.” 

44 You can bet yore head they didn’t drive it straight 
to their hangout — they ain’t doing nothing like that,” 
Hopalong replied. 44 They struck south after they 
thought they had throwed off any pursuit. They drove 
it almost north, so far; savvy? ” 

“ Well, they’ve got to have water if they’re holding 
cows out on this stove,” Red rejoined. 44 An’ I just 
told you where th’ water is.” 

44 G’wan ! Ten cows would drain that hole in two 
days ! ” Hopalong responded. 44 They’ve also got to 
have grass, though mebby you never knew that. An’ 
what about that herd Meeker lost? They wouldn’t 
circle so far to a one-by-nothing water hole like that 
one is.” 

44 Well, then, where’ll they find grass an’ water out 
here? ” demanded Red, impatiently. 44 Th’ desert’s 
west, though mebby you never knew that ! ” 

44 Red, we’ve been a pair of fools! ” Hopalong cried, 
slapping his thigh by way of emphasis. 44 Here we are 
skating around up here when Thunder Mesa lays south, 
with plenty of water an’ a fair pasture on all sides of it! 
That’s where we’ll go.” 

44 Hoppy, once in a great while you do show some 

[ 234 ] 


Hopalong and Red Go Scouting 

intelligence, an’ you’ve shown some now; but we better 
go up to that water hole first,” Red replied. 44 We 
can swing south then. We’re so close to it now that 
there ain’t nothing to be gained by not taking a look 
at it. Mebby we’ll find a trail, or something.” 

44 Right you are ; come on. There ain’t no use of 
us riding separate no more.” 

Half an hour later Hopalong pointed to one side, 
to a few half-burned greasewood and mesquite sticks 
which radiated like the spokes of a wheel. 

44 Yes, I saw ’em,” Red remarked. 44 They couldn’t 
wait till they got home before they changed th’ brand, 
blamed fools.” 

44 Yes, an’ that explains th’ HQQ cow I discovered,” 
Hopalong quickly replied. 44 They got too blamed 
hasty to blot it an’ it got away from ’em.” 

44 Well, it shore beats th’ devil how Meeker had to 
go an’ stir up this nest of rattlers,” Red grumbled, 
angrily. 

44 If these fellers hang out at Thunder Mesa an’ 
drive to th’ railroad camps we ought to strike their 
trail purty close to th’ water hole,” Hopalong remarked. 
44 It’s right in their path.” 

Red nodded his head. 44 Yes, we ought to.” 

An hour later they rode around a chaparral and came 
within sight of the water hole, which lay a few hun- 
dred yards away. As they did so a man rode up out 
of the depression and started north, unconscious of his 
danger. 

The two men spurred to overtake him, both drawing 

[ 235 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

their rifles and getting ready for action. He turned 
in his saddle, saw them, and heading westward, quirted 
and spurred his horse into a dead run, both of his pur- 
suers shouting for him to stop as they followed at top 
speed. He glanced around again and, seeing that they 
were slowly but surely gaining, whipped up his rifle 
and fired at them several times, both replying. Pie 
kept bearing more and more to the west and Red rode 
away at an angle to intercept him. Ten minutes later 
the fleeing man turned and rode north again, but Red 
had gained fifty yards over Hopalong and suddenly 
stopping his horse to permit better shooting, he took 
quick aim and fired. The pursued man found that 
his horse was useful only as a breastwork as Red’s 
report died away, and hastily picked himself up and 
crawled behind it. 

“ Look out, Red ! ” warned Hopalong as he flung 
himself off his horse and led it down into a deep coulee 
for protection. “ That’s Dick Archer, an’ he can 
shoot like th’ very devil ! ” 

Red, already in a gully, laughed. “ An’ so can I.” 

46 Hey, I’m going around on th’ other side — look 
out for him,” Hopalong called, starting away. “ We 
can’t waste no more time up here than we has to.” 

“All right; go ahead,” Red replied, pushing his 
sombrero over the edge of the gully where the rustler 
could see it; and he laughed softly when he saw the 
new hole in it. “He shore can shoot, all right,” he 
muttered. Working down the gully until he came to 
-a >Jmnp of greasewood he crawled up the bank and 
[ 236 ] 


Hopalong and Red Go Scouting 

looked out at the man behind the dead horse, who was 
intently watching the place where he had seen Red’s 
sombrero. 44 I knowed Eagle was holding cards in this 
game,” Red remarked, smiling grimly. 44 Wonder how 
many are in it, anyhow? ” 

Hearing the crack of a gun he squinted along the 
sights of his Winchester and waited patiently for a 
chance to shoot. Then he heard another shot and saw 
the rustler raise himself to change his position, and Red 
fired. 44 1 knowed, too, that Hoppy would drive him 
into range for me, even if he didn’t hit him. Wonder 
what Mr. Dick Archer thinks about my shooting about 
now? Ah! ” he cried as the smoke from his second shot 
drifted away. 44 Got you again ! ” he grunted. Then 
he dropped below the edge of the gully and grinned 
as he listened to the bullets whining overhead, for the 
rustler, wounded twice inside of a minute by one man, 
was greatly incensed thereby and petulantly bombarded 
the greasewood clump. He knew that he was don^e for, 
but that was no reason why he shouldn’t do as much 
damage as he could while he w r as able. 

44 Ret he’s mad,” grinned Red. 44 An’ there goes 
that Sharps — I could tell Hoppy ’s gun in a fusil- 
lade.” 

Crawling back up the gully to his first position Red 
peered out between some gramma grass tufts and again 
slid his rifle to his shoulder, laughing softly at the regu- 
lar reports of the Sharps. 

A puff of smoke enveloped his head and drifted be- 
hind him as he worked the lever of his rifle and, arising, 

[ 237 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

he walked out towards the prostrate man and waved for 
his friend to join him. As he drew near the rustler 
struggled up on one elbow, and Red, running forward 
with his gun raised half-way to his shoulder, cried: 
4 Don’t make no gun-play, or I’ll blow you apart ! 
Where’s th’ rest of yore gang? ” 

44 Go to h — 1 ! ” coughed the other, trying to get his 
Colt out, for his rifle was empty. He stiffened and fell 
flat. 

Ten minutes later Hopalong and Red were riding 
southwest along a plain and well beaten trail, both silent 
and thoughtful. And at the end of an hour they saw 
the ragged top of Thunder Mesa towering against the 
horizon. They went forward cautiously now and took 
advantage of the unevenness of the plain, riding 
through barrancas and keeping close to chaparrals. 

44 Well, Red, I reckon we better stop,” Hopalong 
remarked at last, his glasses glued to his eyes. 44 No use 
letting them see us.” 

44 Is that smoke up there ? ” asked Red. 

44 Yes ; an’ there’s somebody moving around near th’ 
edge.” 

44 1 see him now.” 

44 1 reckon we know all that’s necessary,” Hopalong 
remarked. 44 That trail is enough, anyhow. Now we’ve 
got to get back to th’ ranch without letting them fellers 
see us.” 

44 We can lead th’ cay uses till we can get in that bar- 
ranca back there,” Red replied. 44 We won’t stick up 
so prominent if we do that. After we make it we’ll 
[ 238 ] 


Hopalong and Red Go Scouting 

find it easy to keep from being seen if we’ve any cau- 
tion.” 

Hopalong threw himself out of the saddle. “ Dis- 
mount!” he cried. “That feller up there is coming 
towards this end. He’s their lookout, I bet.” 

They remained hidden and quiet for an hour while 
the lookout gazed around the plain, both impatient and 
angry at the time he gave to his examination. When 
he turned and disappeared they waited for a few min- 
utes to see if he was coming back, and satisfied that the 
way was clear, led their horses to the barranca and 
rode through it until far enough away to be safe from 
observation. 

Darkness caught them before they had covered half 
of the distance between the mesa and the ranch, and 
there being no moon to light the way, they picketed their 
mounts, had supper, and rolling up in their blankets, 
spent the night on the open plain. 


[ 239 ] 


CHAPTER XXIV 

red’s discomfiture 

O N their return they separated and Red, com- 
ing to an arroyo, rode along its edge for a 
mile and then turned north. Ten minutes 
after he had changed his course he espied an indistinct 
black speck moving among a clump of cottonwoods over 
half a mile ahead of him, and as he swung his glasses 
on it a cloud of smoke spurted out. His horse reared, 
plunged, and then sank to earth where it kicked spas- 
modically and lay quiet. As the horse died Red, who 
had dismounted at the first tremor, threw himself down 
behind it and shoved his rifle across the body, swearing 
at the range, for at that distance his Winchester was 
useless. A small handful of sand flew into the air close 
beside him with a vicious spat, and the bullet hummed 
aw r ay into the brush as a small pebble struck him sharply 
on the cheek. A few seconds later he heard the faint, 
fiat report. 

“ It’s a clean thousand, an 9 more,” he growled. 
“ Wish I had Hopalong’s gun. I’d make that feller 
jump ! ” 

He looked around to see how close he was to cover and 

[ 240 ] 


Red’s Discomfiture 

when he glanced again at the cottonwoods they seemed 
to be free of an enemy. Then a shot came from a 
point to the north of the trees and thudded into the 
carcass of the horse. Red suddenly gave way to his 
accumulated anger which now seethed at a white heat 
and, scrambling to his feet, ran to the brush behind him. 
When he gained it he plunged forward to top speed, 
leaping from cover to cover as he zig-zagged towards 
the man who had killed Ginger, and who had tried his 
best to kill him. 

He ran on and on, his rifle balanced in his right hand 
and ready for instant use, his breath coming sharply 
now. Red was in no way at home out of the saddle. 
His high-heeled, tight-fitting boots cramped his toes and 
the sand made running doubly hard. He was not far 
from the cottonwoods; they lay before him and to his 
right. 

Turning quickly he went north, so as to go around 
the plot of ground on which he hoped to find his ac- 
curate, long-range assailant, and as he came to a break 
in the hitherto close-grow r ing brush he stopped short and 
dropped to one knee behind a hillock of sand, the rifle 
going to his shoulder as part of the movement. 

Several hundred yards east of him he saw two men, 
who were hastily mounting, and running from them was 
a frightened calf. One of the pair waved an arm to- 
wards the place where Ginger lay and as he did so a 
puff of smoke lazily arose from behind the hillock of 
sand to the w r est and he jumped up in his saddle, his 
left arm falling to his side. Another puff of smoke 
16 [ 241 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

arose and his companion fought his wounded and fright- 
ened horse, and then suddenly grasped his side and 
groaned. The puffs were rising rapidly behind the hil- 
lock and bullets sang sharply about them; the horse of 
the first man hit leaped forward with a bullet-stung 
rump. Spurring madly the two rustlers dashed into 
the brush, lying close along the necks of their mounts, 
and soon were lost to the sight of the angry marks- 
man. 

Red leaped up, mechanically re-filling the magazine 
of his rifle, and watched them out of sight, helpless 
either to stop or pursue them. He shook his rifle, al- 
most blind with rage, crying : “ I hope you get to 
Thunder Mesa before we do, an’ stay there; or run into 
Frenchy an’ his men on yore way back! If I could 
get to Number Two ahead of you you’d never cross that 
boundary.” 

As he returned to his horse his rage cooled and left 
him, a quiet, deep animosity taking its place, and he 
even smiled with savage elation when he thought how 
he had shot at eight hundred yards — they had not es- 
caped entirely free from punishment and his accuracy 
had impressed them so much that they had not lingered 
to have it out with him,, even as they were two to one, 
mounted, and armed with long-range rifles. And he 
could well allow them to escape, for he would find them 
again at the mesa, if they managed to cross the line 
unseen by his friends, and he could pay the debt there. 

He swore when he came to the body of his horse and 
anger again took possession of him. Ginger had been 
[ 242 ] 


Red’s Discomfiture 

the peer of any animal on the range and, contrary to 
custom, he had felt no little affection for it. At cutting 
out it had been unequalled and made the work a pleasure 
to its rider; at stopping when the rope went home and 
turning short when on the dead run it had not been 
excelled by any horse on the ranch. He had taught 
it several tricks, such as coming to him in response to 
a whistle, lying down quickly at a slap on the shoulder, 
and bucking with whole-hearted zeal and viciousness 
when mounted by a stranger. Now he slapped the car- 
cass and removed the saddle and bridle which had so 
often displeased it. 

44 Ginger, old boy,” he said, slinging the forty-pound 
saddle to his shoulder and turning to begin his long 
tramp towards the dam, 44 1 shore hate to hoof it, but 
I’d do it with a lot better temper if I knowed you was 
munching grass with th’ rest of the cavvieyh. You’ve 
been a good old friend, an’ I hates to leave you ; but if I 
get any kind of a chance at th’ thief that plugged you 
I’ll square up for you good an’ plenty.” 

To the most zealous for exercise, carrying a forty- 
pound double-cinched saddle for over five miles across a 
hot, sandy plain and under a blazing, scorching sun, with 
the cinches all the time working loose and falling to 
drag behind and catch in the vegetation, was no pleasant 
task ; and add to that a bridle, full magazine rifle, field 
glasses, canteen, and a three-pound Colt revolver swing- 
ing from a belt heavily weighted with cartridges, and it 
becomes decidedly irksome, to say the least. Red’s tem- 
per can be excused when it is remembered that for years 
[ 243 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

his walking had been restricted to getting co his horse, 
that his footwear was unsuited for walking, that he 
had been shot at and had lost his best horse. Each mile 
added greatly to his weariness and temper and by the 
time he caught sight of Hopalong, who rode recklessly 
over the range blazing at a panic-stricken coyote, he 
was near the point of spontaneous combustion. 

He heaved the saddle from him, kicked savagely at it 
as it dropped, for which he was instantly sorry, and 
straightened his back slowly for fear that any sudden 
exertion would break it. His rifle exploded, twice, thrice ; 
and Hopalong sat bolt upright and turned, his rifle 
going instinctively to his shoulder before he saw his 
friend’s waving sombrero. 

The coyote-chaser slid the smoking Sharps into its 
sheath and galloped to meet his friend who, filling the 
air with sulphurous remarks, now seated himself on the 
roundly cursed saddle. 

Hopalong swept up and stopped, grinning ex- 
pectantly and, to Red, exasperatingly. “ Where’s yore 
cayuse? ” he asked. “Why are you toting yore pos- 
sessions on th’ hoof? Are you emigrating? ” 

Red’s reply was a look wonderfully expressive of all 
the evils in human nature, it was fairly crowded with 
murder and torture, and Hopalong held his head on one 
side while he weighed it. 

“Phew!” he exclaimed in wondering awe. “Yo’re 
shore mad! You’d freeze old Geronimo’s blood if he 
saw that look ! ” 


[ 244 ] 


Red’s Discomfiture 

“An’ I’ll freeze yourn; I’ll let it soak into th’ sand 
if you don’t change yore front ! ” blazed Red. 
u What’s the matter? Where’s Ginger? ” 

A rapid-fire string of expletives replied and then 
Hopalong began to hear sensible words, which more and 
more interspersed the profanity, and it was not long 
before he learned of Red’s ride along the arroyo’s rim. 

44 When I turned north,” Red continued, wrathfully, 
44 1 saw something in them dozen cottonwoods around 
that come-an’-go spring; an’ then what do you think 
happened? ” he cried. Not waiting for any reply he 
continued hastily : 44 Why, some murdering squaw’s dog 

went an’ squibbed at me at long range! With me on my 
own ranch, too ! An’ he killed Ginger first shot. He 
missed me three straight an’ I couldn’t do nothing at a 
thousand an’ over with this gun.” 

44 Th’ d — n pirate ! ” exclaimed Hopalong, hotly. 

44 1 was a whole lot mad by that time, so I jumped 
back into th’ brush an’ ran for th’ grove, hoping to get 
square when I got in range. After I’d run about a 
thousand miles I came to th’ edge of th’ clearing west 
of th’ trees an’ d — d if I didn’t see two fellers climbing 
on their cayuses, an’ some hasty, too. Reckon they 
didn’t know how many friends I might have behind me. 
Well, I was some shaky from running like I did, an’ they 
was a good eight hundred away, but I let drive just th’ 
same an’ got one in th’ arm, th’ other somewhere else, 
an’ hit both of their cayuses. I wish I’d ’a filled ’em so 
full of holes they couldn’t hang together, th’ thieves ! ” 
[ 245 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ Fd shore like to go after them., Red,” Hopalong 
remarked. “ We could ride west an’ get ’em when they 
pass that water hole if you had a cayuse.” 

“ Oh, we’ll get ’em, all right — at th’ mesa,” Red 
rejoined. “ I’m so tired I wouldn’t go now if I could. 
Walking all th’ way down here with that saddle! You 
get off that cayuse an’ let me ride him,” he suggested, 
mopping his face with his sleeve. 

“What! Me? Me get off an’ walk! I reckon 
not!” replied Hopalong, and then his face softened. 
“ You pore, unfortunate cow-punch,” he said, sympa- 
thetically. “ You toss up yore belongings an’ climb 
up here behind me. I’ll take you to th’ dam, where 
Johnny has picketed his cayuse. Th’ Kid’s going in 
for a swim; said he didn’t know how soon he’d get a 
chance to take a bath. We can rustle his cayuse for a 
joke — come on.” 

“ Oh, wait a minute, can’t you ? ” Red replied, wear- 
ily. “ I can’t lift my legs high enough to get up 
there — they’re like lead. That trail was hell strung 
out.” 

“ You should ’a cached yore saddle an’ everything 
but th’ gun an’ come down light,” Hopalong remarked. 
“ Or you could a’ gone to th’ line an’ waited for some- 
body to come along. Why didn’t you do that? ” 

“ I ain’t leaving that saddle nowhere,” Red responded. 
“ Besides I was too blamed mad to stop an’ think.” 

“ Well, don’t wait very long — Johnny may skin out 
if you do,” Hopalong replied, and then, suddenly : 
“Just where was it you shot at them snakes? ” 

[ 246 ] 


Red’s Discomfiture 

Red told him and Hopalong wheeled as if to ride 
after them. 

44 Here, you ! ” cried Red, the horseless. 44 Where th’ 
devil are you going so sudden ? ” 

44 Up to get them cow-lifters that you couldn’t, of 
course,” his companion replied. 44 I’m shore going to 
show you how easy it is when you know how.” 

44 Like h — 1 you are ! ” Red cried, springing up, his 
lariat in his hand. 44 Yo’re going to stay right here 
with me, that’s what yo’re going to do ! I’ve got some- 
thing for you to do, you compact bundle of gall! You 
try to get away without me and I’ll make you look like 
an interrupted spasm, you wart-headed Algernon ! ” 

44 Do you want ’em to get plumb away?” cried the 
man in the saddle, concealing his mirth. 

44 1 want you to stick right here an’ tote me to a 
cayuse ! ” Red retorted, swinging the rope. 44 Vm going 
to be around when anybody goes after them Siwashes, 
an’ don’t you forget it. There ain’t no hurry — we’ll 
get ’em quick enough when we starts west. An’ if you 
try any get-away play an’ leave me out here on my two 
feet with all these contraptions, I’ll pick you off’n that 
piebald like hell greased with calamity ! ” 

Hopalong laughed heartily. 44 Why, I was only a- 
fooling, Red. Do you reckon I’d go away an’ leave 
you standing out here like a busted-down pack mule? ” 
44 I hoped you was only fooling, but I wasn’t taking 
no chances with a cuss like you,” Red replied, grinning. 
64 Not with this load of woe, you bet.” 

44 Say, it’s too bad you didn’t have my gun up there,” 

[ 247 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

Hopalong said, regretfully. 44 You could ’a got ’em 
both then, an 5 had two cayuses to ride home- on.” 

44 Well, I could ’a got ’em with it',” Red replied, 
grinning, his good nature returning under the chaffing. 
44 But you can’t hit th’ mesa with it over six hundred. 
They’d ’a got away from you without getting hit.” 

Hopalong laughed derisively and then sobered and 
became anxious. 44 Yo’re right, Red, yo’re right,” he 
asserted with tender solicitude. 44 Now you get right 
up here behind me an’ I’ll take you to th’ dam where 
th’ Kid is. Pore feller,” he sighed. 44 Well, I ain’t a- 
wondering after all you’ve been through. It was 
enough to make a sfrorcg-minded man loco.” He smiled 
reassuringly. 44 Now climb right up behind me, Reddie. 
Gimme yore little saddle an’ yore no-account gun — 
Ouch ! ” 

44 I’ll give you th’ butt of it again if you don’t act 
like you’ve made th’ best of them gravy brains ! ” Red 
snorted. 44 Here, you lop-eared cow-wrastler — catch 
this ! ” throwing the saddle so sudden and hard that 
Hopalong almost lost his balance from the impact. 
44 Now you gimme a little room in front of th’ tail — I 
ain’t no blasted fly.” 

Hopalong gave his friend a hand and Red landed 
across the horse’s back, to the instant and strong dislike 
of that animal, which showed its displeasure by bucking 
mildly. 

44 Glory be ! ” cried Hopalong, laughing. 44 Riding 
double on a bucking hinge ain’t no play, is it? Sup- 
[ 248 ] 


Red’s Discomfiture 

pose he felt like pitching real strong — where would 
you be with that tail holt? ” 

44 You bump my nose again with th’ back of yore 
head an’ you’ll see how much play it is ! ” Red retorted. 
44 Come on — pull out. We ain’t glued fast. Th’ 
world moves, all right, but if yo’re counting on it slid- 
ing under you till th 5 dam comes around you’re way 
off ; it ain’t moving that way. Hey ! Stop that spur- 
ring!” 

44 I’ll hook ’em in you again if you don’t shut up ! ” 
Hopalong promised, jabbing them into the horse, which 
gave one farewell kick, to Red’s disgust, and cantered 
south with ears flattened. 

44 Whoop ! I’m riding again ! ” Red exulted. 

44 I’m glad it wasn’t Red Eagle they went an’ killed,” 
hopalong remarked. 

44 Red Eagle ! ” snorted Red, indignantly. 44 What 
good is this cayuse, anyhow? Ginger was worth three 
like this.” 

44 Well, if you don’t like this cayuse you can get off 
an’ hoof it, you know,” Plopalong retorted. 44 But I’ll 
tell you what you know a’ready; there ain’t no cayuse 
in this part of th’ country that can lose him in long- 
distance running. He ain’t no fancy, parlor animal 
like Ginger was; he don’t know how to smoke a cig or 
w r ash dishes, or do any of th’ fool things yore cayuse 
did, but he is right on th’ job when it comes to going 
hard an’ long. An’ it’s them two things that tell how, 
much a cayuse is worth, down here in this country. If 
[ 249 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

I could ’a jumped on him up there when they made 
their get-away from you, me an’ th’ Sharps would ’a 
fixed ’em. They wouldn’t be laughing now at how easy 
you was.” 

“ They ain’t laughing, not a bit of it — an’ they 
won’t even be able to swear after I get out to th’ mesa,” 
Red asserted. 44 Have you seen Buck, or anybody ’cept 
th’ Kid? ” 

44 Yes. I told Buck an’ Frenchy about it, an’ Skinny, 
too,” Hopalong replied. 44 Buck an’ Frenchy went 
north along th’ west line to get th’ boys from Number 
Two. Buck says we’ll go after ’em just as soon as we 
can get ready, which most of us are now. Pore Lanky ; 
he’s got to stay home an’ pet his wounds — Buck said 
he couldn’t go.” 

44 Did Buck say who was going an’ who was going to 
stay home? ” 

44 Yes ; you, Johnny, Billy, Pete, Skinny, Frenchy, 
me, Buck, an’ Pie Willis are going — th’ rest will have 
to watch th’ ranch. That makes nine of us. Wonder 
how many are up that mesa? ” 

44 There’ll be plenty, don’t you worry,” Red replied. 
44 When we go after anybody we generally has to mix 
up with a whole company. I wouldn’t be a whole lot 
surprised if they give us an awful fight before they 
peter out. They’ll be up in th’ air a hundred feet. 
We’ll have plenty to do, all right.” 

44 Well, two won’t be there, anyhow — Archer an’ 
Juan. I bet we’ll find most of th’ people of Eagle up 
there waiting for us.” 


[ 250 .1 


Red’s Discomfiture 

“ Lord, I hope they are ! ” cried Red. 44 Then we 
can clean up everything at once, town an’ all.” 

“ There’s th’ Kid — see th’ splash P ” Hopalong 
laughed. 44 He shore is stuck on swimming. He don’t 
care if there’s cotton-mouths in there with him. One 
of them snakes will get him some day, an’ if one does, 
then w r e’ll plant him, quick.” 

66 Oh, I dunno. I ain’t seen none at th’ dam,” Red 
replied. “ They don’t like th’ sand there as much as 
they do th’ mud up at th’ other end, an’ along th’ sides. 
Gee! There’s his cayuse!” 

Johnny dove out of sight, turned over and came up 
again, happy as a lark, and saw his friends riding to- 
wards him, and he trod water and grinned. 44 Hullo, 
fellers. Coming in?— it’s fine! Hey, Red. We’re 
all going out to Thunder Mesa as soon as we can! But 
what are you riding double for? Where’s yore 
cayuse? ” Something in Red’s expression made him 
suspicious of his friends’ intentions and, fearing that 
he might have to do some walking, he made a few quick 
strokes and climbed out, dressing as rapidly as his wet 
skin would permit. 

Red briefly related his experience and Johnny swore 
as he struggled through his shirt. 44 What are you 
going to do? ” he asked, poking his head out into sight. 

44 I’m going to ride yore cayuse to th’ line house — • 
you ain’t as tired as me,” replied Red. 

44 Not while I’m alive, you ain’t! ” cried Johnny, run- 
ning to his horse. Then he grinned and went back to 
his clothes. 44 You take him an’ rope th’ cayuse I saw 
[ 251 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

down in that barranca — there’s two of ’em there, both 
belonging to Meeker. But you be shore to come 
back ! ” 

44 Shore, Kid,” Red replied, vaulting into the saddle 
and riding away. 

Johnny fastened his belt around him and looked up. 
44 Say, Hoppy,” he laughed, 44 Buck said Cowan sent 
my new gun dowm to th’ bunk house yesterday. He’s 
going to bring it w T ith him when he comes down to-mor- 
row. But I only got fifty cartridges for it — will you 
lend me some of yourn if I run short ? ” 

44 Where did Cowan get it? ” 

44 Why, don’t you remember he said he’d get me one 
tike youm th’ next time he went north? He got back 
yesterday — bought it off some feller up on th’ XS. 
Cost me twenty-five dollars without th’ cartridges. But 
I’ve got fifty empties I can load when I get time, so 
I'll be all right later on. Will you lend me some? ” 

44 Fifty is enough, you chump,” laughed Hopalong. 
44 You won’t get that many good chances out there.” 

44 I know ; but I want to practise a little. It’ll shoot 
flatter than my Winchester,” Johnny grinned, hardly 
able to keep from riding to the bunk house to get his 
new gun. 

Red rode up leading a horse. 44 That’s a good rope, 
Kid, ’though th’ hondo is purty heavy,” he said, saddling 
the captured animal. 44 Is Buck going to bring down 
any food an’ cartridges when he comes ? ” he asked. 

“Yes; three cay uses will pack ’em. We can send 
back for more if we stay out there long enough to need 
[ 252 ] 


Red’s Discomfiture 

more. Buck says that freak spring up on top flows 
about half a mile through th’ chaparral before it peters 
out. What do you know about it, Red? ” Hopalong 
asked. 

44 Seems to me that he’s right. I think it flows 
through a twisting arroyo. But there’ll be water 
enough for us, all right.” 

44 1 got a .45-120 Sharps just like Hopalong’s, Red,” 
J ohnny grinned. 44 He said he’d lend me fifty car- 
tridges for it, didn’t you, Hoppy? ” 

44 Well, I’ll be blamed!” exclaimed Hopalong. 
44 First thing I knowed about it, if I did. I tell you 
you won’t need ’em.” 

44 Where’d you get it ? ” asked Red. 

44 Cowan got it. I told you all about it three weeks 
ago.” 

44 Well, you better give it back an’ use yore Win- 
chester,” replied Red. 44 It ain’t no good, an’ you’ll 
shoot some of us with it, too. What do you want with 
a gun that’ll shoot eighteen hundred? You can’t hit 
anything now above three hundred.” 

44 Yo’re another — I can, an’ you know it, too. Three 
hundred ! ” he snorted. 44 Huh ! Here comes Skinny ! ” 

Skinny rode up and joined them, all going to the 
! Peak. Finally he turned and winked at Johnny. 

44 Hey, Kid. Hopalong ought to go right down to 
th’ H2 while he’s got time. He hadn’t ought to go off 
fighting without saying good-bye to his girl, had 
he? ” 

44 She’d keep him home — wouldn’t let him take no 
[253] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

chances of getting shot,” Red asserted. 44 Anyhow, if 
he went down there he’d forget to come back.” 

“ Ow-wow ! ” cried Johnny. 44 You hit him ! You hit 
him! Look at his face! ” 

44 He shore can’t do no courting while he’s away,” 
Skinny remarked. 44 He wouldn’t let Red go with him 
when he went to give Meeker th’ shovel, an’ I didn’t 
know why till just now.” 

44 You go to blazes, all of you ! ” exclaimed Hopa- 
long, red and uncomfortable. 44 1 ain’t doing no court- 
ing, you chump ! An’ Red knows why I went down 
there alone.” 

44 Yes; you gave me a fool reason, an’ went alone,” 
Red retorted. 44 An’ if that ain’t courting, for th’ 
Lord’s sake what is it? Or is she doing all of it, you 
being bashful? ” 

44 Yes, Hoppy ; tell us what it is,” asked Skinny. 

44 Oh, don’t mind them, Hoppy; they’re jealous,” 
Johnny interposed. 44 Don’t you make no excuses, not 
one. Admit that yo’re courting an’ tell ’em that yo’re 
going to keep right on a-doing it an’ get all th’ honey 
you can.” 

Red and Skinny grinned and Hopalong, swearing at 
Johnny, made a quick grab for him, but missed, for 
Johnny knew the strength of that grip. 44 1 ain’t court- 
ing! I’m only trying to — trying to be — sociable; 
that’s all ! ” 

44 Sociable ! ” yelled Red. 44 Oh, Lord ! ” 

44 It must be nice to be sociable,” replied Johnny. 
44 Since you ain’t courting, an’ are only trying to be 
[ 254 ] 


Red’s Discomfiture 

sociable, then you won’t care if we go down an’ try it. 
Me for th’ H2!” 

44 You bet; an’ I’m going down, too,” asserted Red, 
who was very much afraid of women, and who wouldn’t 
have called on Mary Meeker for a hundred dollars. 

Hopalong knew his friend’s weakness and he quickly 
replied : 44 Red, I dare you to do that. I dare you to 

go down there an’ talk to her for five minutes. When 
I say talk, I don’t mean stammer. I dare you ! ” 

44 Do you dare me? ” asked Johnny, quickly, glancing 
at the sun to see how much time he had. 

44 Oh, I ain’t got time,” replied Red, grinning. 

44 You ain’t got th’ nerve, you mean,” jeered Skinny. 

46 1 dare you. Red,” Hopalong repeated, grimly. 

44 1 asked you if you dared me? ” hastily repeated 
Johnny. 

“ You ! Not on yore life, Kid. But you stay away 
t from there! ” Hopalong warned. 

44 Gee — wish you’d lend me them cartridges,” sighed 
Johnny. 44 Mebbe Meeker has got some he ain’t so 
| stingy with,” he added, thoughtfully. 

44 I’ll lend you th’ cartridges, Kid,” Hopalong offered. 
f* But you stay away from th’ H2. D’y hear? ” 

h 


[ 255 ] 


CHAPTER XXV 


antonio’s revenge 

W HILE Red had been trudging southward 
under his saddle and other possessions a 
scene was being enacted on a remote part 
of the H2 range which showed how completely a cow- 
boy leased his very life to the man who paid him his 
monthly wage, one which serves to illustrate in a way 
how a ranchman was almost a feudal lord. There are 
songs of men who gave up their lives to save their fel- 
lows, one life for many, and they are well sung; but 
what of him who risks his life to save one small, insig- 
nificantly small portion of his employer’s possessions, 
risks it without hesitation or fear, as a part of his daily 
work? What of the man who, not content with taking 
his share of danger in blizzard, fire, and stampede, on 
drive, roundup, and range-riding, leaps fearlessly at the 
risk of his life to save a paltry head or two of cattle 
to his ranch’s tally sheet? Such men were the rule, and 
such a one was Curley, who, with all his faults, was a 
man as a man should be. 

Following out his orders he rode his part of the range 
with alertness, and decided to explore the more remote 
[ 256 ] 


Antonio’s Revenge 

; southwestern angle of the ranch. Doc had left him an 
hour before to search the range nearer Eagle and would 
not be back again until time to return to the ranch 
house for the night. This was against Meeker’s orders, 
for they had been told to keep together for their own 
protection, but they had agreed that there was little 
risk and that it would be better to separate and cover 
j more ground. 

The day was bright and, with the exception of the 
heat, all he could desire. His spirits bubbled over in 
snatches of song as he cantered hither and yon, but all 
the time moving in the general direction of the little- 
ridden territory. On all sides stretched the same mo- 
i notonous view, sage brush, mesquite, cactus, scattered 
tufts of grass, and the brown plain, endless, fiat, weary- 
ing. 

The surroundings did not depress him, but only grad- 
ually slowed the exultant surge of his blood and, as he 
hummed at random, an old favorite came to him out of 
the past, and he sung it joyously: 

My taste is that of an aristocrat, 

My purse that of a pauper: 

I scorn the gold her parents hold — 

But shore I love their daughter. 

Hey de diddle de, hey de dee, 

But shore I love their daughter. 

When silvery nights my courting light 
An’ souls of flowers wander, 

Then who’s to blame if I loved th’ game 
An’ did not pause to ponder? 

Hey de diddle de, hey de dee, 

An’ did not pause to ponder. 

[ 257 ] 


n 


Hopalong Cassidy 

Her eyes are blue, an’ oh, so true — 

Th’ words were said ere thought, Lad. 

Her father swore we’d meet no more — 

But I am not distraught, Lad. 

Hey de diddle de, hey de de — 

But I am not distraught, Lad. 

He ceased abruptly, rigidly erect, staring straight 
ahead as the significance of the well trodden trail im- 
pressed itself on his mind. He was close to the edge of 
a steep-walled basin; and leading to it was a narrow, 
steep gully, down which the beaten trail went. Riding 
closer he saw that two poles were set close to the wall 
of the gully, and from one of them dangled a short, 
frayed hempen rope. There was a water hole in the 
basin, surrounded by a muddy flat, and everywhere were 
the tracks of cattle. 

As he hesitated to decide whether or not it would be 
worth while to ride through the depression he chanced 
to look south, and the question decided itself. Spur- 
ring savagely, he leaned forward in the saddle, the wind 
playing a stern song in his ears, a call to battle for his 
ranch, his pride, and his hatred for foul work. He felt 
the peculiar, compelling delight, the surging, irresistible 
intoxication of his kind for fighting, the ecstasy of the 
blood lust, handed down from his Saxon forefathers. 

A mile ahead of him was a small herd of cattle, being 
driven west by two men. Did he stop to return to the 
ranch for assistance? Did he count the odds? Not he, 
for he saw the perpetrators of the insults he and his 
companions had chafed under — the way was clear, the 
quarry plain, and he asked naught else. 

[ 258 ] 


Antonio’s Revenge 

They saw him coming — one of them raised a pair of 
glasses to his eyes and looked closely at him and from 
him all around the plain. All the time they were driv- 
ing the cattle harder, shouting and whipping about them 
with their rawhide quirts; and constantly nearer came 
the cowboy, now standing up in his stirrups and lashing 
his straining mount without mercy. Soon he thought 
he recognized one of the herders, and he flung the name 
on the whistling wind in one contemptuous shout: “ An- 
tonio! D — n his soul!” and fell to beating the horse 
^all the harder. 

It was Antonio, and a puff of smoke arose from the 
Mexican’s shoulder and streaked behind, soon followed 
by another. Curley knew the rifle, a .40-90 Sharps, and 
did not waste a shot, for he must be on equal terms be- 
fore he could hope to cope with it. Another puff, then 
another and another, but still he was not hit. Now he 
drew his own rifle from its holster and hazarded a shot, 
but to no avail. Then the second herder, who had not 
as yet fired, snatching the rifle from Antonio’s hands and, 
checking his horse, leaped off and rested the weapon 
across the saddle. Taking deliberate aim, he fired, and 
Curley pitched out of the saddle as his horse stumbled 
and fell. The rider scrambled to his feet, dazed and 
hurt, and ran to his horse, but one look told the story and 
he ended the animal’s misery with a shot from his Colt. 

The herder and the cattle were rapidly growing smaller 
in the distance but the Mexican rode slowly around the 
man on foot, following the circumference of a large 
circle and shooting with calm deliberation. The bullets 
[ 259 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

hummed and whined viciously past the H£ puncher, kick- 
ing up the dust in little spurts, and cold ferocity filled 
his heart as he realized the rustler’s purpose. He raised 
his own rifle and fired — and leaded the barrel. When 
he had fallen the barrel had become choked with sand 
and dust and he was at the mercy of his gloating enemy, 
who would now wipe out the insult put upon him at the 
bunk house. Slowly Antonio rode and carefully he fired 
and then, seeing that there was something wrong with 
Curley’s rifle, which the puncher threw aside, he drew 
closer, determined to shoot him to pieces. 

Curley was stung with rage now. He knew that it 
was only a question of waiting until the- right bullet 
came, and scorning to hug the sand for the “ Greaser” 
he held in such contempt, and vaguely realizing that such 
a:n act would not change the result, he put all his faith 
in a dash. He ran swiftly towards his astonished enemy, 
who expected him to seek what cover the dead horse 
would give him, Colt in hand, cursing at every jump 
and hoping to be spared long enough to get within 
range with his six-shooter, if only for one shot. Antonio 
did not like this close work and cantered away, glancing 
back from time to time. When Curley finally was forced 
to stop because of exhaustion the rider also stopped and 
slipped off his horse to have a rest for the rifle. Curley 
emptied the Colt in a futile, enraged effort to make a 
lucky hit while his enemy calmly aimed from across the 
saddle. Hastily reloading the Colt as he ran, the 
puncher dashed forward again, zig-zagging to avoid be- 
ing hit. There w T as a puff of gray smoke, but Curley 
[ 260 ] 


Antonio’s Revenge 

did not hear the report. He threw one arm half up as 
if to ward off the shot and pitched forward, face down 
in the dust, free from all pain and strife. 

Antonio fired again and then cautiously drew nearer 
to his victim, the rifle at the ready. Turning shortly 
he made a quick grab at his horse, fearing that it might 
leave him on foot to be caught by some wandering H2 
puncher. Springing into the saddle he rode forward 
warily to get a closer look at the man he had murdered, 
proud of his work, but fearful that Curley was playing 
dead. 

When assured that he had nothing to fear from the 
prostrate form, he rode close. 44 Knock me down, will 
you ! 99 he gritted, urging the horse to trample on the 
body, which the animal refused to do. 44 Call me an un- 
washed Greaser coyote, hey! Come out looking for us, 
did you? Well, you found us, all right, but a h — 1 of 
a lot of good it did you, you American dog ! You ain’t 
saying a word, are you, you carrion? You ain’t got 
no smart come-back now, an 5 you ain’t throwing no wash 
water on me, are you ? 99 

He started and looked around nervously, fearful that 
he might be caught and left lying on the sand as he 
had left Curley. One or two of the H2 outfit carried 
single-shot rifles which shot as far if not farther than his 
own, and the owners of them knew how to shoot. Wheel- 
ing abruptly he galloped after the herd, looking back 
constantly and thinking only of putting as great a dis- 
tance as possible between himself and the scene of the 
killing. 


[ 261 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

A lizard crawled out of a hillock and stared steadily 
at the quiet figure and then, making a tentative sortie, 
disappeared under the sand ; but the man who had sung 
so buoyantly did not mind it, he lay wrapped in the 
Sleep Eternal. He had died as he had lived, fearlessly 
and without a whimper. 

Late in the afternoon Doc Riley, sweeping on a cir- 
cling course, rode through chaparrals, alert even after 
his fruitless search, looking around on all sides, and won- 
dered if Curley and he would meet before they reached 
the ranch proper. Suddenly something caught his eye 
and he stood up in the stirrups to see it better, a ready 
curse leaping from his lips. He could not make out 
who it was, but he had fears and he spurred forward as 
hard as he could go. Then he saw the horse and knew. 

Riding close to the figure so as to be absolutely sure, 
he knew beyond a hope of mistake and looked around 
the plain, his expression malevolent and murderous. 

“ Curley ! Curley ! ” he cried, leaping off his horse 
and placing a heavy, kindly hand on the broad, sloping 
shoulder of the man who had been his best friend for 
years. “ So they got you, lad ! They got you ! In 
God’s name, why did I leave you? ” he cried in bitter self- 
condemnation. “ It’s my fault, it’s my fault, lad!” 
He straightened up suddenly and glared around through 
tear-dimmed eyes. “ But by th* living God I'll pay them 
for this , I’ll pay them for this! D — n their murdering 
souls ! ” 

He caught sight of an empty cartridge shell and 
snatched it up eagerly. “.40-90, by G — d! That’s 
[ 262 ] 


Antonio’s Revenge 

Antonio’s! Curley, my lad, I’ll get him for you — an 9 
when I do! I’ll send his soul to th’ blackest pit in h — 4, 
an’ send it slow! ” 

He noticed and followed the tracks in the sand, read- 
ing them easily. He found the Winchester and quickly 
learned its story, which told him the whole thing. Re- 
turning to the body of his friend he sat by it quietly, 
looking down at it for several minutes, his sombrero in 
his hand. 

“ Well, wishing won’t do no good,” he muttered, dis- 
mounting. “ I’ll take you home, lad, an’ see you put 
down too deep for coyotes to bother you. An’ I’ll 
square yore scores or join you trying.” 

He lifted the body across the withers of his hors* and 
picked up the Colt. Mounting, he rode at a walk to- 
wards the bunk house, afire with rage and sorrow. 

For the third time Meeker strode to the door of the 
bunk house and looked out into the darkness, uneasy 
and anxious. Chick sauntered over to him and leaned 
against the frame of the door. “ They’ll show up 
purty soon, Jim,,” he remarked. 

“ Yes. I reckon so — Salem!” the foreman called. 
“ Put their grub where it’ll keep warm.” 

“ Aye, aye, sir. I was just thinking I ought to. 
They’re late, ain’t they, sir? ” he asked. “ An’ it’s 
dark, too,” he added, gratis. 

“ Why, is it, Salem? ” queried Dan, winking at Jack 
Curtis, but Salem disappeared into the gallery. 

“ Listen ! — I hear ’em ! ” exclaimed Chick. 

[ 263 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

44 You hear one of ’em,” corrected Meeker, turning to 
the table to finish drinking his coffee. 44 Hey, Salem! 
Never mind warming that grub — rustle it in here. 
One of ’em’s here, an’ he’ll be starved, too.” 

Suddenly Chick started back with an exclamation as 
Doc Riley loomed up in the light of the door, carrying 
■a body over his shoulder. Stepping into the room while 
his friends leaped to their feet in amazement and incre- 
dulity, he lowered his burden to a bench and faced them, 
bloody and furious. 

44 What’s th’ matter? ” exclaimed Meeker, the first to 
find his voice, leaping forward and dropping the cup to 
the floor. 44 Who did that? ” 

Doc placed his sombrero over the upturned face and 
ripped out a savage reply. 44 Antonio ! Yore broncho- 
buster! Th’ snake that’s raising all th’ devil on this 
range! Here — see for yoreself!” tossing the cart- 
ridge shell to his foreman, who caught it clumsily, 
looked at it, and then handed it to Dan. Exclamations 
and short, fierce questions burst from the others, who 
crowded up to see the shell. 

44 Tell me about it, Doc,” requested Meeker, pacing 
from wall to wall. 

44 He was shot down like a dog ! ” Doc cried, his rage 
sweeping over him anew in all its savagery. 44 1 saw th’ 
whole thing in th’ sand, plain as 'day. Th’ Greaser got 
his cayuse first an’ then rode rings around him, keeping 
out of range of Curley’s Colt, for Curley had leaded his 
rifle. It was Colt against Sharps at five hundred, that 
[ 264 ] 


Antonio’s Revenge 

was what it was ! He didn’t have a show, not a measly 
show for his life ! Shot down like a dog! ” 

) 44 Where’d it happen ? ” asked Chick, breathlessly, 

while the low-voiced threats and imprecations swelled to 
an angry, humming chorus. 

44 Away down in th’ southwest corner,” replied Doc, 
and he continued almost inaudibly, speaking to himself 
and forgetful of the others. 44 Me an’ him went to 
school together an’ I used to lick every kid that bullied 
him till he got big enough to do it hisself. We run 
away together an’ shared th’ same hard luck. We went 
through that Sioux campaign together, side by side, an’ 
to think that after he pulled out of that alive he had to 
be murdered by a yaller coward of a Greaser! If he’d 
been killed by a human being an’ in a fair fight it would 
be all right ; but by that coyote — it don’t seem possible, 
not noway. I licked th’ feller that hurt him on his first 
day at school — I’m going to kill th’ last ! 

44 Meeker,” he said, coming to himself and facing the 
angry foreman, 44 I’m quitting to-night. I won’t punch 
no more till I get that Greaser. I take up that trail 
at daylight an’ push it to a finish even if it takes me 
into Mexico — it’s got to be him or me, now.” 

44 You don’t have to quit me to do that, an’ you know 
it ! ” Meeker cried. 44 1 don’t care if yo’re gone for six 
months — yore pay goes on just th’ same. He went 
down fighting for me, an’ I’ll be everlastingly condemned 
if I don’t have a hand in squaring up for it. Yo’re 
going on special duty for th’ H2, Doc, an’ yore orders 
[ 265 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

are to get Antonio. Why, by th’ Lord, I’ll take up th’ 
trail with you, Doc, an’ with th’ rest of th’ boys behind 
me. This ranch can go galley-west an’ crooked till we 
get that snake. Dan an’ Salem stays with my girl an’ 
to watch th’ ranch — th’ rest of us are with you — we’re 
as anxious as you to push him Yonder, Doc.” 

“ If I can get him alive, get my two hands on his 
skinny neck,” Doc muttered, his fingers twitching, “ I’ll 
kill him slow, so he’ll feel it longer, so he’ll be shore to 
know why he’s going. I want to feel his murdering soul 
dribble hell-wards, an’ let him come back a couple of times 
so I can laugh in his yaller face when he begs ! I want 
to get him — so! ” and Chick shuddered as the knotted, 
steel-like fingers opened and shut, for Doc was half devil 
now. While Chick stared, the transformed man walked 
over to the bench and picked up the body in his brawny 
arms and strode into the blackness — Curley was going 
to lie in the open, with the stars and the sky and the 
sighing wind. 

“ God ! ” breathed Chick, looking around, “ I never 
saw a man like that before ! ” 

“I hope he gets what he wants!” exclaimed Dan, 
fiercely. 

“You fellers get yore traps ready for a chase,” 
Meeker ordered as he strode to the door of the gallery. 
“Fifty rounds for six-shooters an’ fifty for rifle, an’ 
plenty of grub. It’s a whole lot likely that th’ Greaser 
headed for his gang, an’ we’ve got to be ready to handle 
everything that comes up. Hey, Salem!” he shouted. 

“Aye, aye, sir!” replied Salem, who had just come 

[ 266 ] 


Antonio’s Revenge 

in from one of the corrals and knew nothing of what 
had occurred. 

44 Did you cure that beef I told you to? ” demanded 
the foreman. 

44 Yes, sir; but it ain’t had time to cure — th’ weather’s 
not been right. Howsomever, I smoked some. That’ll 
be ship-shape.” 

46 Well, have it on our cay uses at daylight. Did you 
cut this beef in strips, or in twenty-pound chunks, like 
you did th’ last? ” 

44 Strips, little strips — I ain’t trying to sun-cure no 
more big hunks, not me, sir.” 

Meeker turned and went towards the outer door. 

44 Don’t waste no time, boys,” he said. 44 Get all th’ 
sleep you can to-night — you’ll need it if I reckon 
right. Good-night,” and he stepped out into the dark- 
ness. 44 D — n them dogs ! ” he muttered, disappearing 
in the direction of the kennels, from which came quaver- 
ing, long-drawn howls. 


[2671 


CHAPTER XXVI 

FRISCO VISITS EAGLE 

AGLE did not thoroughly awaken until the sun 
began to set, for it was not until dark that its 
inhabitants, largely transient, cared to venture 
forth. Then it was that the town seethed, boldly, 
openly, restrained by nothing save the might of the in- 
dividual. 

Prosperity had blessed the town, for there had been 
an abrupt and pleasing change in local conditions since 
the disagreement between the two ranches north of the 
town had assumed warlike aspect. Men who heretofore 
had no standing with the proprietors of the town’s 
places of amusement and who had seldom been able to 
pay for as much liquor as they were capable of drink- 
ing, now swaggered importantly where they pleased, 
and found welcome where formerly it had been denied 
them; for their hands were thrust deep into pockets 
from which came the cheerful and open-sesame clinking 
of gold. Even Big Sandy, who had earned his food by 
sweeping out the saloons and doing odd jobs about them, 
and who was popularly believed to be too lazy to earn 
a better living by real work, now drank his fill and failed 
[ 268 ] 




Frisco Visits Eagle 

to recognize a broom when he saw it. While the inhab- 
itants could not 44 get in ” on the big plums which they 
were certain were being shaken down on the range, they 
could and did take care of the windfalls, and thrived 
well. They would stay in town until their money was 
gone and then disappear for a week, and return to spend 
recklessly. It is not out of place to state, in passing, 
that numerous small herds bearing strange brands fre- 
quently passed around the town at a speed greater than 
that common to drives, and left clouds of dust on the 
southeastern horizon. 

The town debated the probable whereabouts of ten 
men who had suddenly disappeared in a body, along 
with Antonio of the H2. It was obvious what they 
were doing and the conjectures were limited as to their 
whereabouts and success. For a while after they had 
left one or two had ridden in occasionally to buy flour 
and other necessities, and at that time they had caused 
no particular thought. But now even these visits had 
ceased. It was common belief that Quinn knew all 
about them, but Quinn for good reasons was not urged 
to talk about the matter. Big Sandy acted as though 
he knew, which increased his importance for a time, and 
discredited him thereafter. 

While the citizens had been able to rustle as they 
pleased they had given but little thought to the ten men, 
being too busy to trail. But now that the H2 punchers 
rode range with rifles across their arms rustling had be- 
come very risky and had fallen off. Then it was that 
the idlers renewed their conjectures about Shaw and his 

[ 269 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

men and thrashed that matter over and over again. 
The majority, being, as we have said, transients, knew 
nothing about Thunder Mesa, and those who did know 
of it were silent, for Shaw and some of his companions 
knew only one way to close a man’s mouth, and were^ 
very capable. 

So it happened that about noon of the day Curley lost 
his life six men met in the shadow cast by the front of 
the “ Rawhide ” a hundred yards from Quinn’s, and ex- 
ercised squatter sovereignty on the bench just outside 
the door, while inside the saloon Big Sandy and Nevada 
played cards close to the bar and talked in low tones. 
When they were aware of the presence of those on the 
bench they played silently and listened. The six men 
outside made up one of the groups of the town’s society, 
having ridden in together and stuck together ever since 
they had arrived, which was wise. 

Big Sandy and Nevada made a team more feared than 
any other combination. The former, while fair with 
weapons, was endowed with prodigious strength ; by 
some it was hailed as being greater than that of Pete 
Wilson, the squat giant of the Bar-20, whose strength 
w r as proverbial, as it had good right to be. Nevada was 
the opposite type, slender, short, wiry, and soft-spoken, 
but the quickest man in town on the draw and of uncer- 
tain temper. 

Chet Bates, on the bench, replied to a companion and 
gave vent to his soft, Southern laugh. “ Yuh still won- 
dering ’bout thet man Shaw, an’ th’ othas ? ” 

[ 270 ] 


Frisco Visits Eagle 

44 Nothing else to do, is there? ” retorted Dal Gilbert. 
“ We can’t run no more cattle, can we? ” 

44 I reckon we can’t.” 

44 They’re running a big game an’ I want to get in 
it,” remarked John Elder. 46 Frisco was alius friendly. 
We’ve got to go trailing for ’em.” 

44 Yes ; an’ get shot,” interposed George Lewis.* 
44 They’re ten to our six. An’ that ain’t all of our 
troubles, neither. We’ll find ourselves in a big fight 
some day, an’ right here. Them ranches will wake up, 
patch up their troubles, an’ come down here. You re- 
member what Quinn said about th’ time Peters led a lot 
of mad punchers agin Trendley an’ his crowd, don’t you ? 
In a day he can raise men enough to wipe this town off 
th’ map.” 

44 Yuh forget, suh, that they are fighting foh princi- 
ples, an’ men who fight foh principles don’t call truces,” 
said Chet Bates. 

44 You’ve said that till it’s old,” laughed Sam Austin. 

44 1 say we’ve got to keep our eyes open,” warned 
Lewis. 

44 Th’ devil with that ! ” broke in Con Irwin. 44 What 
I want to know is how we’re going to get some of th’ 
easy money Shaw’s getting.” 

44 We’ll have to wait for one of his men to come to 
town an’ trail him back,” replied Gilbert. 

44 What do you say that we try to run one more good 
herd an’ then scout for them, or their trails?” asked 
Irwin. 


[ 271 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ Heah comes somebody,” remarked Chet, listening. 

The sound of galloping grew rapidly louder and soon 
they saw Frisco turn into the street and ride towards 
them. As they saw him a quiet voice was heard behind 
them and looking up, they saw Nevada smiling at them. 
44 Get him drunk an’ keep him away from Quinn’s,” he 
counselled. 

They exchanged looks and then Elder stepped out 
into the street and held up his hand. 44 Hullo, Frisco ! ” 
he cried. 

44 Where yuh been keeping yuhself foh so long?” 
asked Chet, affably. 44 Holed up som’ers? ” 

44 Hullo, fellers,” grinned Frisco, drawing rein. 

44 Everybody have a drink on me,” laughed Chet. 
44 Ah’m pow’ful thirsty.” 

Frisco was escorted inside to the bar, where Chet did 
the honors, and where such a spirit of hospitality and 
joviality* surrounded him that he forgot how many 
drinks he had taken. He dug up a handful of gold 
and silver and spread it out on the bar and waved at the 
bartender. 44 Bes’ you got — ver’ bes’,” he grinned. 
44 Me an’ my fren’s want th’ ver’ bes’; don’t we, fellers? 
I got money — helluva lot of money — an’ thersh more 
where it came from, ain’t that so, boys? ” 

When the noise had subsided he turned around and 
levelled an unsteady finger at the bartender. 44 1 never 
go — back onsh fren’, never. An’ we’re all frensh — 
ain’t we, fellers? Tha’s right. I got s’more frensh — 
good fellesh, an’ lots of money cached in sand.” 

44 Ah’ll bet yuh have ! ” cried Chet. 

[ 272 ] 


Frisco Visits Eagle 

“ You alius could find pay-dirt,” marvelled Nevada, 
glancing warningly around him. 44 Yo’re a fine pros- 
pector, all right.” 

Frisco stared for a moment and then laughed loudly 
and leaned against the bar for support. 44 Proshpec- 
tor ! Proshpector ! W’y, we earned tha’s money — run 
a helluva lot of risks. Mebby tha’s Bai-&0 outfit’ll 
jump us an’ make us fight ’em. No; they can’t jump 
us — they can’t get up at us ! ” 

44 On a mesa, shore ! ” whispered Elder to Lewis. 

44 Wha’s you shay ? ” 

44 Said they couldn’t lick you.” 

44 Who couldn’t — lick us ? ” 

44 Th’ Bar-&0,” explained Elder. 

Frisco rubbed his head and drew himself up, sus- 
picion percolating through his muddled brain. 44 Never 
shaid nozzing ’bout no Bar-Twensh ! ” he asserted, an- 
grily. 44 Nozzing ’tall. I’m going out of here — 
don’t like you! Gotta get some flour an’ ozzer stuff. 
Never shaid nozzing ’bout — ” he muttered, staggering 
out. 

Nevada turned to Elder. 44 You go with him an’ 
quiet his suspicions. Keep him away from Quinn, for 
that coyote’ll hold him till he gets sober if you don’t. 
This is the chance we’ve been wanting. Don’t try to 
pump him — his trail will be all we need.” 

44 Wonder what mesa they’re on? ” asked Lewis. 

44 Don’t know, an’ don’t care,” Nevada replied. 
44 We’ll find out quick enough. There’s eight of us an’ 
we can put up a stiff argument if they won’t take us in. 
[ 273 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

You know they ain’t going to welcome us, don’t you? 99 

“ Hey, go out th’ back way,” growled Big Sandy, in- 
terposing his huge bulk between Bates and the door. 
“ An’ don’t let Frisco see you near a cayuse, neither,” 
he added. 

Nevada walked quickly over to his friend and said a 
/few hurried words in a low voice and Big Sandy nodded. 
“ Shore, Nevada ; he might try that, but I’ll watch him. 
If he tries to sneak I’ll let you know hasty. We’re in 
this to stay,” and he followed the others to the door. 

Nevada turned and faced the bartender. “ Mike, you 
keep quiet about what you saw an’ heard to-day ; under- 
stand? If you don’t, me an’ you won’t fit in this town 
at th’ same time.” 

Mike grinned. “ I forgot how to talk after one ex- 
citing day up in Cheyenne, an’ I ain’t been drunk 
since, neither.” 

“ Yo’re a wise man,” replied the other, stepping out 
by the back door and hastening up the street where he 
could keep watch over Quinn’s saloon. It was an hour 
before he caught sight of Frisco, and he was riding 
west, singing at the top of his lungs. Then Quinn 
slipped into his corral and threw a saddle on a horse. 

“ Drop it ! ” said a quiet voice behind him and he 
turned to see Nevada watching him. 

66 What do you mean?” demanded Quinn, ominously. 

“Let loose of that cayuse an’ go back inside,” was 
the reply. 

“ You get th’ h — 1 out of here an’ mind yore own — 99 

[ 274 ] 


Frisco Visits Eagle 

Quinn leaped aside and jerked at his Colt; but was 
too late, and he fell, badly wounded. Nevada sprang 
forward and disarmed him and then, mounting, galloped 
off to join his friends. 


1 275 J 


CHAPTER XXVII 


SHAW HAS VISITORS 

W HEN Frisco reached the edge of the clear-, 
ing around the mesa he saw Antonio and 
Shaw toiling cautiously up the steep, pre- 
carious trail leading to the top, and he hailed vocifer- 
ously. Both looked around, Antonio scowling and his 
companion swearing at their friend’s condition. Fris- 
co’s pack horse, which he had sense enough to bring 
back, was loaded down with bags and packages which 
had been put on recklessly, inasmuch as a slab of bacon 
hung from the animal’s neck and swayed to and fro with 
each step; and the animal he rode had a bartender’s 
apron hanging down before its shoulders. 

44 Had a rip-snorting time — rip-snorting time,” he 
announced pleasantly, in a roar. 44 Salubrious — rip- 
snorting — helluva time ! ” 

46 Nobody ’d guess it ! ” retorted Shaw. 44 Look at 
them bundles ! An’ him an expert pack-horse man, too. 
An’ that cayuse with a shirt! For anybody that can 
throw as neat a diamond hitch as him, that pack horse is 
a howling disgrace ! ” 

44 Hang th’ pack horse ! ” growled Antonio. 44 1 bet 
[ 276 ] 


Shaw Has Visitors 

th’ whole town knows our business now! He ought to 
be shot. Where you going? ” 

“ Down to help him up,” Shaw replied. “ He’ll bust 
his fool neck if he wrestles with that trail alone. You 
go on up an’ send a couple of th’ boys down to bring up 
th’ grub,” he ordered, starting down the path. 

“Let him bust his fool neck!” cried the Mexican. 
“ He should ’a done that before he left.” 

“ What’s th’ ruction ? ” asked Clausen, looking down 
over the edge at the Mexican. 

“ Oh, Frisco’s come back howling drunk. Go down 
an’ help him tote th’ grub up. Shaw said for somebody 
else to help you.” 

“ Hey, Cavalry,” cried Clausen. “ Come on an’ 
gimme a hand,” and the two disappeared down the 
trail. 

The leader returned, heralded by singing and swear- 
ing, and pushed Frisco over the mesa top to sprawl full- 
length on the ground. Shaw looked down at him with 
an expression of anger and anxiety and then turned 
abruptly on his heel as a quavering snore floated up 
from the other. 

“ Here, Manuel ! ” he called, sharply. “ Take my 
glasses an’ go out to yore lookout rock. Look towards 
Eagle an’ call me if you see anybody.” 

The Mexican shuffled away as Cavalry and Clausen, 
loaded down, appeared over the edge of the mesa wall 
and dropped their loads at Shaw’s feet. 

“ What did you tell him to get ? ” asked Clausen, 
marvelling. 


[ 277 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“What do you think I told him to get?” snapped 
Shaw. 

“ I don’t know, seeing what he brought back,” was 
the reply. 

Shaw examined the pile. “ G — d’s name, what’s all 
this stuff? ” he roared. “ Bacon! An’ all th’ meat we 
want is down below. Canned milk ! Two bottles XXX 
Cough Syrup, four bottles of whiskey, bottle vaniller ex- 
tract, plug tobacco, an’ three harmonicas! Is that 
flour ! ” he yelled, glaring at a small bag. “ Twenty 
pounds ! Five pounds of salt ! ” 

“ I reckon he bought all th’ cartridges in town,” Cav- 
alry announced, staggering into sight with a box on his 
shoulder. “ Lord, but it’s heavy ! ” 

“ Twenty pounds of flour to last nine men a month ! ” 
Shaw shouted, kicking at the bag. “An’ look at this 
coffee — two pounds! I’ll teach him a lesson when he 
gets sober.” 

“ Well, he made up th’ weight in th’ cartridges,” Cav- 
alry grinned. He grasped Shaw’s arm. “ What’s got 
into Manuel? ” 

The leader looked and sprinted to the lookout rock, 
where Manuel was gesticulating, and took the glasses. 
Half a minute later he returned them to the Mexican 
and rejoined his companions near the pile of supplies. 

“ What is it ? ” asked Cavalry. 

“ Some of our Eagle friends. Mebby they want cards 
in this game, but we’ll waste little time with ’em. Post 
th’ fellers along th’ edge, Clausen, an’ you watch th’ 
trail up. Keep ’em covered while I talks with ’em. 
[ 278 ] 


Shaw Has Visitors 

Don’t be slow to burn powder if they gets to pushing 
things.” 

44 They trailed Frisco,” growled Cavalry. 

44 Shore ; oh, he was a great success ! ” snapped Shaw, 
going to the edge of the mesa to await the eight new- 
comers, his men finding convenient places along the top( 
of the wall, their rifles ready for action. 

They did not have long to wait for soon Nevada and 
Chet Bates rode into the clearing and made for the 
trail. 

44 That’s far enough, Nevada!” shouted Shaw, hold- 
ing up his hand. 

44 Why, hullo, Shaw! ” cried the man below. 44 Yo’re 
up a good tree, all right,” he laughed. 

44 Yes.” 

44 Can we ride up, or do we have to take shank’s 
mare? ” 

44 Neither.” 

44 Well, we want some water after that ride,” replied 
Nevada. 

44 Plenty of it below. Nobody asked you to take that 
ride. What do you want, anyhow ? ” 

44 Why, when Frisco said you was out here we 
thought we’d drop in on you an’ pay you a little visit.” 

44 You have paid us a little visit. Call again next 
summer.” 

44 Running many cows?” asked Nevada. 

44 Nope; educating coyotes. Didn’t see none, did 

y/ou ? ” 

Nevada exchanged a few w'ords with his companion 

\ 279 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

and then looked up again. 44 1 reckon you need us, 
Shaw. Eight more men means twice as many cows ; an 5 
we can all fight a little if th’ ranches get busy out here.” 

44 We’re crowded now. Better water up an’ hit th’ 
back trail. It’s hard riding in th’ dark.” 

44 We didn’t come out here for a drink,” replied Ne- 
vada. 44 We came out to help you rustle, which same 
we’ll do. I tell you that you need us, man ! ” 

44 When I need you I’ll send for you. Adios .” 

44 You ain’t going to let us come up? ” 

44 Not a little bit. Pull yore stakes an’ hit th’ back 
trail. Adios! ” 

44 Well, we’ll hang around to-night an’ talk it over 
again to-morrow. Mebby you’ll change yore mind. 
So long,” and the two wheeled and disappeared into the 
chaparrals, Nevada chuckling. 44 1 didn’t spring that 
little joker, Chet, because it’s a good card to play last. 
When we tell him that we won’t let nobody come down 
off’n th’ mesa it’ll be after we can’t do nothing else. 
No use making him mad.” 

Up on the mesa Shaw wheeled, scowling. 44 1 knowed 
that fool would fire off something big! Why can’t he 
get drunk out here, where it’s all right P ” 

44 That Nevada is a shore bad proposition,” Clausen 
remarked. 

44 So’m I ! ” snapped Shaw. 44 He can’t come up, an’ 
pursooant to that idee I reckon you an’ Hall better ar- 
range to watch th’ trail to-night.” 

He walked away and paced slowly along the edge of 
the wall, studying every yard of it. He had done this 
[280 ] 


Shaw Has Visitors 

thing before and had decided that no man sat a saddle 
who could scale the sheer hundred feet of rock which 
dropped so straight below him. But somehow he felt 
oppressed, and the sinking sun threw into bold relief the 
furrows of his weather-beaten, leathery face and showed 
the trouble marks which sat. above his eyes. At one part 
of the wall he stopped and peered over, marshalling im- 
aginative forces in attack after attack against it. But 
at the end he smiled and moved on — that was the 
weakest point in his defence, but he would consider him- 
self fortunate if he should find no weaker defence in fu- 
ture conflicts. As he returned to the hut he glanced at 
the lookout rock and saw Manuel in his characteristic 
pose, unmoving, silent, watchful. 

“ I’m getting as bad as Cavalry and his desert,” he 
grumbled. “ Still, they can’t lick us while we stay up 
here.” 


{ 281 ] 


CHAPTER XXVIII 


NEVADA JOINS SHAW 

L ATE in the forenoon of the day after Nevada 
had argued with Shaw, Manuel shifted his posi- 
tion on the lookout rock and turned to face the 
hut. “ Senor ! Senor Shaw ! He ees here.” 

Shaw strode to the edge of the mesa and looked down, 
seeing Nevada sitting quietly on a horse and looking up 
at him. Manuel, his duty performed, turned and looked 
eastward, shrinking back as Shaw stepped close to him. 
Lying prone along the edge half a dozen men idly fin- 
gered rifles as they covered the man below, Antonio’s 
face in particular showing intense aversion to any more 
recruits. 

“Morning, Shaw,” shouted Nevada. “Going to let 
us come up? ” 

The leader was about to reply when he felt a tug at 
his ankle and saw Manuel’s lips moving. “ .What is it. 
Greaser? ” 

“ Look, Senor, look ! ” whispered the frightened Mex- 
ican, pointing eastward. “ Eet ees de Bar-20 ! They 
be here poco tiempo! ” 

“ Shut up ! ” retorted Shaw in a whisper, glancing 
[282] 


Nevada Joins Shaw 

cast, and what he saw changed his reply to the man be- 
low. 66 Well, Nevada, we are purty crowded up here as 
it is, but I’ll ask th’ boys about it. They ain’t quite de- 
cided. Be back in a minute,” and he stepped back out 
of sight of those below and waved his companions to 
him. Briefly stating the facts he asked that Nevada 
and his force be allowed up to help repulse the Bar-20, 
and the men who only a short time before had sworn 
that they would take in no partners nodded assent and 
talked over the new conditions while their leader again 
went to the edge. 

“We can get along without you fellers,” he called 
down, “ but we don’t reckon you’ll cut any hole in our 
profits as long as you do yore share of work. If yo’re 
willin’ to share an’ share alike, in work, grub, profits, an’ 
fighting, why I reckon you can come up. But I’m 
leader here an’ what I says goes; are you agreeable?” 

“ That’s fair,” Nevada replied. “ Th’ harder th’ 
work th’ bigger th’ pay — come on, boys,” he cried, 
turning and waving his arm. “ We’re in ! ” 

While the newcomers put their horses in the corral and 
toiled carefully up the steep trail Manuel stared stead- 
ily into the east and again saw the force that had filled 
y him with fear. Hall, who was now watching with him, 
abruptly arose and returned to the hut, reporting: 

; “ Seven men out there — it’s th’ Bar-20, all right, I 
reckon ” ; and almost immediately afterward Manuel 
found a moving speck far to the east which Shaw’s pow- 
erful glasses soon showed to be three pack horses driven 
by two men. 


[283 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

Nevada looked curiously about him as he gained his 
goal and then sought a place in the hut for his bunk. 
This, however, was full, and he cast around outside to 
find the best place for his blankets. Finding it, he 
stepped to the spring and had just quenched his thirst 
when he saw Shaw standing on a ledge of rock above 
him, looking down. 44 What is it, Shaw? ” he asked. 

44 Well, you fellers shore enough raised h — 1, now 
didn’t you ! ” demanded the leader, a rising anger in his 
voice. 44 Yo’re a fine collection of fools, you are — ” 

“What do—” 

44 — Leading that Bar-20 gang out here by th’ nice, 
plain trail you left,” Shaw continued, sarcastically, not 
heeding the other’s explosive interjection. 44 That’s a 
nice thing to saddle us with! D — n it, don’t you know 
you’ve queered th’ game for good? ” 

44 Yo’re drunk!” retorted Nevada, heatedly. 44 We 
came up from th’ south! How th’ devil could that 
crowd hit our trail ? 99 

44 They must ’a hit southwest on a circle,” lied Shaw. 
44 Manuel just now saw ’em pass a clearing an’ heading 
this way — nine of ’em ! ” 

44 Th’ devil ! ” exclaimed Nevada. 44 How many are 
up here now? ” he asked quickly. 

44 Sixteen.” 

44 All right ! Let ’em come ! ” cried the other. 44 Six- 
teen to nine — it’s easy ! ” he laughed. 44 Look here ; 
we can clean up them fellers an’ then raid their ranch, for 
there’s only four left at home. We can run off a whop- 
[ 284 ] 


Nevada Joins Shaw 

ping big herd, sell ’em, an’ divvy even. Then we sepa- 
rates, savvy? Why, it couldn’t be better!” 

Shaw showed his astonishment and his companion con- 
tinued. 44 Th’ H2 is shy men, an’ th’ C80 and th* 
Double Arrow is too far away to bother us. As soon as 
we lick this aggregation of trouble hunters, what’s left 
will ride hell-bent for that valley. Then th’ biggest 
herd ever rustled in these parts, a trip to a new range, 
an’ plenty of money to spend there.” 

44 That sounds good — but this pleasing cleaning-up 
is due to be full of knots,” Shaw rejoined. 44 Them nine 
men come from th’ craggiest outfit of high-toned gun- 
artists in these parts, an’ you can bet that they are th’ 
pick of th’ crowd ! Cassidy, Connors, Peters — an’ 
they’ve got forty friends purty nigh as bad, an’ eager to 
join in. I ain’t no ways a quitter, but this looks to me 
like Custer’s Last Stand, us being th’ Custers.” 

44 Ah, yo’re loco ! ” retorted Nevada. 44 Look here ! 
Send a dozen picked men down quick an’ let ’em lose 
’emselves in th’ chaparral, far back. When th’ terrible 
man-killers of th’ great Bar-20 get plugging this way, 
our trouble-gang slips up from behind an’ it’s all over! 
Go on, before it’s too late! Or one of us will ride like 
th’ devil to Eagle for help — but it’s got to be quick ! 
You say I got you in this, which I know well I didn’t, 
but now I’ll get you out an’ put you in th’ way of a 
barrel of money.” 

The crack of a rifle sounded from the plain and the 
next instant Clausen dashed up, crying, 44 Manuel 
[ 285 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

tried to cut an’ run, but somebody down below dropped 
him off’n th’ trail. They’re all around us ! ” 

44 Good for th’ somebody ! ” cried Shaw. 44 I’ll kill 
th’ next man that tries to leave us — that goes, so pass 
it along.” Then he turned to Nevada, a sneer on his 
face. 46 That means anybody riding for help, too!”l 
and he backed away. 

Hall turned the comer, looking Nevada squarely in 
the eyes. 44 Say, Shaw, wonder what’s got into Archer? 
He’s been gone a long time for that trip.” 

44 Reckon he’s got tired an’ quit,” replied Shaw. 

“You know he ain’t that kind!” Hall cried, angrily. 

44 All right, all right. If he comes back an’ finds out 
■what’s up he’ll probably hustle to Eagle for some of th’ 
boys,” Shaw responded. Neither would ever see Dick 
Archer again — his bones were whitening near a small 
water hole miles to the north, as Hopalong and Red 
could testify. 

46 As long as one of us is outside we’ve got a chance,” 
Nevada remarked. 44 How’re we fixed for grub, Hall? ” 

44 Got enough jerked beef to last us a month,” and 
Hall departed. 

A shot hummed over Nevada’s head and, ducking 
quickly, he followed Hall. Close behind him went Shaw, 
muttering. 44 Well, it had to come sometime — an’ 
we’re better fixed than I ever reckoned we’d be. Now 
we’ll see who gets wiped out ! ” 


[ 286 ] 


CHAPTER XXIX 


SURROUNDED 

A BOVE, a pale, hot sky with only a wisp of 
cloud ; below, a semi-arid “ pasture,” scant in 
grass, seamed by tortuous gullies and studded 
with small, compact thickets and bulky bowlders. A 
wall of chaparral, appearing solid when viewed from a 
distance, fenced the pasture, and rising boldly from the 
southwest end of the clearing a towering mass of rock 
flung its rugged ramparts skyward. Nature had been 
in a sullen mood when this scene had been perpetrated 
and there was no need of men trying to heighten the 
gloomy aspect by killing each other. Yet they were 
trying and had been for a week, and they could have 
found no surroundings more in keeping with their occu- 
pation. 

Minute clouds of smoke spurted from the top of the 
wall and from the many points of vantage on the pas- 
ture to hang wavering for an instant before lazily dis- 
sipating in the hot, close air. In such a sombre setting 
men had elected to joke and curse and kill, perhaps to 
die ; men hot with passion and blood-lust plied rifles with 
deliberate intent to kill. On one side there was fierce* 
[ 287 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

deep joy, an exultation in forcing the issue, much as if 
they had tugged vainly at a leash and suddenly found 
themselves free. They had been baited, tricked, robbed, 
and fired upon and now, their tormentors penned before 
them, there would be no cessation in their efforts to wipe 
cut the indignities under which they had chafed for so 
long a time. 

On the other side, high up on a natural fortress which 
was considered impregnable, lay those who had brought 
this angry pack about them. There was no joy there, 
no glad eagerness to force the battle, no jokes nor 
laughter, but only a grim desperation, a tenacious hold- 
ing to that which the others would try to take. On one 
side aggression; on the other, defence. Fighters all, 
they now were inspired by the merciless end always in 
their minds ; they were trapped like rats and would fight 
while mind could lay a plan or move a muscle. Of the 
type which had out-roughed, out-fought for so long even 
the sturdy, rough men w T ho had laid the foundation for 
an inland empire amid dangers superlative, they knew 
nothing of yielding; and to yield was to die. It was 
survivor against survivor in an even game. 

“ Ah, God ! ” moaned a man on the mesa’s lofty rim, 
staggering back aimlessly before he fell, never to rise 
again. His companions regarded him curiously, stolidly, 
without sympathy, as is often the case where death is 
constantly expected. Dal Gilbert turned back to his 
rifle and the problems before him. 44 So you’ve gone, 
too. An’ I reckon we’ll follow ” — such was Chet Bates’ 
obituary. 


[288 ] 


Surrounded 

In a thicket two hundred yards south of the mesa 
Red Connors worked the lever of his rifle, a frown on his 
face. 44 I got him, all right. Do you know who he 
is?” 

44 No; but I’ve seen him in Eagle,” replied Hopalong, 
lowering the glasses. 46 What’s worrying me is water 
— my throat’s drying awful.” 

44 You shouldn’t ’a forgot it,” chided Red. 44 Now 
we’ve got to go without it all day.” 

Hopalong ducked and swore as he felt of his bleeding 
face. 44 Purty close, that! ” 

44 Mind what yo’re doing ! ” replied Red. 44 Get off 
my hand.” 

44 This scrap is shore slow,” Hopalong growled. 
44 Here we’ve been doing this for a whole week, all of 
us shot up, an’ only got two of them fellers.” 

44 Well, yo’re right ; but there ain’t a man up there 
that ain’t got a few bullet holes in him,” Red replied. 
44 But it is slow, that’s shore.” 

44 I’ve got to get a drink, an’ that’s all about it,” 
Hopalong asserted. 44 1 can crawl in that gully most 
of th’ way, an’ then trust a side-hopping dash. Any- 
how, I’m tired of this place. Johnny’s got th’ place 
for me" 

44 You better stay here till it’s dark, you fool.” 

44 Aw, stay nothing — so long,” and Hopalong, rifle 
in hand, crawled towards the gully. Red watched the 
mesa intently, hoping to be able to stop some of the 
firing his rash friend was sure to call forth. 

Twenty minutes passed and then two puffs of smoke 

i9 [ 289 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

sailed against the sky, Red replying. Then half a 
dozen puffs burst into sight. A faint shout came to 
Red’s ears and he smiled, for his friend was safe. 

As Hopalong gained the chaparral he felt himself 
heartily kicked and, wheeling pugnaciously, looked into 
Buck Peters’ scowling face. 44 Yo’re a healthy fool!” 
growled the foreman. 44 Ain’t you got no sense at all? 
Hereafter you flit over that pasture after dark, d’y 
hear ! ” 

44 He’s th’ biggest fool I ever saw, an’ th’ coolest,” 
said a voice in the chaparral at the left. 

44 Why, hullo, Meeker,” Hopalong laughed, turning 
from Buck. 44 How do you like our little party now? ” 

44 I’m getting tired of it, an’ it’s some costly for 
me,” grumbled the H2 foreman. 44 Bet them skunks in 
Eagle have cleaned out every head I owned.” Then he 
added as an afterthought : 44 But I don’t care a whole 

lot if I can see this gang wiped out — Antonio is th’ 
coyote Vm itching to stop.” 

44 He’ll be stopped,” replied Hopalong. 44 Hey, 
Buck, Red’s shore thirsty.” 

44 He can stay thirsty, then. An’ don’t you try to 
take no water to him. You stay off that pasture dur- 
ing daylight.” 

44 But it was all my fault — ” Hopalong began, and 
then he was off like a shot across the open, leaping gul- 
lies and dodging around bowlders. 

44 Here you ! ” roared Buck, and stopped to stare. 
Meeker at his side. A man was staggering in circles 
near a thicket which lay a hundred yards from them. 

[ 290 ] 


Surrounded 

He dropped and began to crawl aimlessly about, a good 
target for the eager rifles on the mesa. Bullets whined 
t and shrilled and kicked up the dust on the plain, but 
still the rushing Bar-20 puncher was unhit. From the 
1 mesa came the faint crackling of rifle fire and clouds of 
smoke hovered over the cover sheltering Red Connors. 
Here and there over the pasture and along the 
chaparral’s rim rifles cracked in hot endeavor to drive 
I the rustlers from their positions long enough to save 
I the reckless puncher. Buck and Meeker both were fi- 
ring now, rapidly but carefully, muttering words of hope 
and anxiety as they worked the levers of their spurting 
guns. Then they saw Hopalong gain the prostrate 
I man’s side, drag him back to cover, and w T ave his arm. 
The fire from the mesa was growing weaker and as it 
stopped Hopalong, with the wounded man on his back, 

! ran to the shelter of a gully and called for water. 

44 He’s th’ best man in this whole country ! ” cried 
Meeker, grabbing up a canteen and starting to go 
through the chaparral to give them water. 44 To do 
that for one of my men ! ” 

44 I’ve knowed that for nigh onto fifteen years,” re- 
plied Buck. 

Near the Eagle trail Billy Williams and Doc Riley 
lay side by side, friendly now. 

44 I tell you we’ve been shooting high,” Doc grumbled. 
44 It’s no cinch picking range against that skyline.” 

44 Hey ! Look at Hopalong ! ” cried Billy, excitedly. 
44 Blamed idiot — why, he’s going out to that feller. 
Lord ! Get busy ! ” 


[291 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

44 That’s Curtis out there!” ejaculated Doc, angrily. 
44 They’ve got him, d — n ’em ! ” 

44 My gun’s jammed!” cursed Billy, in his excite- 
ment and anger standing up to tear at the cartridge. 
44 I alius go an’ — ” he pitched sideways to the sand, 
where he lay quiet. 

Doc dropped his rifle and leaped to drag his com- 
panion back to the shelter of the cover. As he did so 
his left arm was hit, but he accomplished his purpose and 
as he reached for his canteen the Bar-20 pessimist saved 
him the trouble by opening his eyes and staring around. 
44 Oh, my head ! It’s shore burning up, Doc ! ” he 
groaned. 46 What th’ devil happened that time, any- 
how? ” 

44 Here ; swaller this,” Doc replied, handing him the 
canteen. 

44 Who got me?” asked Billy, laying the vessel 
aside. 

44 How do I know? Whoever he was he creased you 
nice. His friends got me in th’ arm, too. You can 
help me fix it soon/* 

44 Shore I will! We can lick them thieves, Doc,” 
Billy expounded without much interest. 44 Yessir,” he 
added. 

44 You make me tired,” Doc retorted. 44 You talk- 
ing about being careful when you stand up in plain 
sight of them fellers like you just did.” 

44 Yes, I know. I was mad, an’ sort of forgot about 
’em being able to shoot at me — but what happened 
out there, anyhow ? ” 


[ 292 ] 


Surrounded 

Doc craned his neck. 64 There’s Cassidy now, in that 
gully — Meeker’s just joined him. Good men, both of 
’em.” 

44 You bet,” replied Billy, satisfied. 44 Yessir, we 
\ can lick ’em — we’ve got to.” 

On the west side of the mesa, back in the chaparral 
and out of sight of the rustlers, Pie Willis lay face 
! down in the sand, quiet. Near him lay Frenchy Mc- 
Allister, firing at intervals, aflame with anger and a 
desire to kill. Opposite him on the mesa, a scant three 
hundred yards away, two rustlers gloated and fired, 
i eager to kill the other puncher, who shot so well. 

44 That other feller knows his business, Elder,” re- 
marked Nevada as a slug ricochetted past his head. 
44 Wonder who he is.” 

44 Wonder where he is,” growled Elder, firing at a 
| new place. 44 He’s been shifting a lot. Anyhow, we 
got one. There’s so much sm#ke down there I can’t 
| seem to place him. Mebby — ” he fell back, limp, his 
I rifle clattering down a hundred feet of rock. 

Nevada looked at him closely and then drew back to a 
more secure position. 44 We’re even, stranger, but we 
ain’t quits, by a good deal!” He swore. Zing-ing- 
ing! 44 Oh, you know I moved, do you!” he gritted. 
44 Well, how’s that!” Spat! a new, bright leaden 
splotch showed on the rock above his head and hot lead 
stung his neck and face as the bullet spattered. 44 I’ll 
get you yet, you coyote ! ” he muttered, changing his 
position again. 44 Ah, h — l! ” he sobbed and dropped 
his rifle to grasp his right elbow, shattered by a Win- 
[ 293 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

Chester .45. Pain shot through every fibre of his body 
and weakened him so he could not crawl for shelter or 
assistance. He swayed, lost his balance and swayed fur- 
ther, and as his side showed beyond the edge of his rocky 
rampart he quivered and sank back, helpless, pain-racked, 
and bleeding to death from two desperate wounds. 

4< We was — tricked — up here ! ” he moaned. 
“ That must — be Red — Connors out there. Ah ! ” 
Spat ! Chug! Spat! But Nevada did not hear them 
now. 

Down in the chaparral, Frenchy, getting no response 
to his shots, picked up his glasses and examined the 
mesa. A moment later he put them back in the case, 
picked up his rifle and crawled towards his companion. 

“ Pie! ” he called, touching the body. “ Pie, old fel- 
ler! I got ’em both for you, Pie — got ’em — ” 
screened by the surrounding chaparral he stood up and 
shook a clenched fist at, the sombre, smoke-wreathed 
pile of rock and shouted : “ An’ they won’t be all ! 

Do you hear, you thieves? They -won't be all ! 19 

Lying in a crack on the apex of a pinnacle of rock 
a hundred yards northwest of the mesa Johnny Nelson 
cursed the sun and squirmed around on the hot stone, 
vainly trying to find a spot comparatively cool, while | 
two panic-stricken lizards huddled miserably as far back i 
in the crack as they could force themselves. Long 
bright splotches marked the stone all around the youth- 
ful puncher and shrill whinings came to him out of 
the air, to hurtle away in the distance ten times as 
loud and high-pitched. For an hour he had not dared 
[294] 


Surrounded 

to raise his head to aim, and his sombrero, which he had 
used as a dummy, was shot full of holes. Johnny, at 
first elated because of his aerial position, now cursed it 
fervently and was filled with disgust. When he had 
begun firing at sunrise he had only one man to face. 
But the news went around among the rustlers that a 
fool had volunteered to be a target and now three good 
shots vied with each other to get the work over with 
quickly, and return to their former positions. 

“ I reckon I can squirm over th’ edge an’ drop down 
that split,” Johnny soliloquized, eying a ragged, sharp 
edge in the rock close at hand. “ Don’t know where it 
goes to, or how far down, but it’s cool, that’s shore.” 

He wriggled over to it, flattened as much as possible, 

I and looked over the edge, seeing a four-inch ledge ten 
feet below him. From the ledge it was ten feet more to 
| the bottom, but the ledge was what interested him. 

“Shore I can — just land on that shelf, hug th’ 
wall an’ they can’t touch me,” he grinned, slipping 
over and hanging for an instant until he stopped swing- 
ing. The rock bulged out between him and the ledge, 
but he did not give that any thought. Letting go he 
dropped down the face of the rock, shot out along the 
bulge and over his cherished ledge, and landed with a 
grunt on a mass of sand and debris twenty feet below. 
As he pitched forward to his hands he heard the metal- 
lic warning of a rattlesnake and all his fears of being 
shot were knocked out of his head by the sound. When 
he landed from his jump he was on the wrong side of the 
crevice and among hot lead. Ducking and dodging he 
[ 295 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

worked back to the right side and then blew off the 
offending rattler’s head with his Colt. Other rattlers 
now became prominent and Johnny, realizing that he 
was an unwelcome guest- in a rattlesnake den, made good 
use of his eyes and Colt as he edged towards the mouth 
of the crevice. Behind him were rattlers; before him, 
rustlers who could and would shoot. To say that he 
was disgusted is to put it mildly. 

“ Cussed joint!” he grunted. “ This is a measly 
place for me. If I stay I get bit to death; if I leave 
I get shot. Wonder if I can get to that ledge — 
ugh ! ” he cried as the tip of a rattler’s tail hung 
down from it for an instant. “Come on! Bring ’em 
all out! Trot out th’ tarantulas, copper heads, an’ 
Gilas! Th’ more th’ merrier! Blasted snake hang- 
out ! ” 

He glanced about him rapidly, apprehensively, and 
shivered. “No more of this for Little Johnny! I’ll 
chance th’ sharp-shooters,” he yelled, and dashed out 
and around the pile so quickly as to be unhit. But he 
was not hit for another reason, also. Skinny Thomp- 
son and Pete Wilson, having grown restless, were en- 
circling the mesa by keeping inside the chaparral and 
came opposite the pinnacle about the time Johnny dis- 
covered his reptilian neighbors. Hearing the noise they 
both stopped and threw their rifles to their shoulders. 
Here was a fine opportunity to lessen the numbers of 
the enemy, for the rustlers, careless for the moment, 
were peering over their breastwork to see what all the 
[ 296 ] 


Surrounded 

noise was about, not dreaming that two pairs of eyes 
three hundred yards away were calculating the range. 
Two puffs of smoke burst from the chaparral and the 
rustlers ducked out of sight, one of them hard hit. 
At that moment Johnny made his dash and caused smiles 
to flit across the faces of his friends. 

“ We might ’a knowed it was him ! ” laughed Skinny. 
“ Nobody else would be loco enough to pick out that 
thing.” 

“ Yes; but now what’s he doing? ” asked Pete, seeing 
Johnny poking around among the rocks, Colt in hand, 

“ Hunting rustlers, I reckon,” Skinny replied, 
“ Thinks they are tunnelling an’ coming up under him* 
I suppose. Hey! Johnny!” 

Johnny turned, peering at the chaparral. 

“ What are you doing ? ” yelled Skinny. 

“ Hunting snakes.” 

Skinny laughed and turned to watch the mesa, from 
which lead was coming. 

“Can you cover me if I make a break?” shouted 
Johnny, hopefully. 

“No; stay where you are!” shouted Pete, and then 
ducked. 

“ Stop yelling and move about some or you’ll got us 
both hit,” ordered Skinny. “ Them fellers can shoot! 99 

“Come on; let’s go ahead. Johnny can stay out 
there till dark an’ hunt snakes,” Pete was getting sar- 
castic. “ Wonder if he reckons we came here td get 
shot at just to hunt snakes!” 

[ 297 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“No; we’ll help him in,” Skinny replied. 46 You’ll 
find th’ rattlers made it too hot for him up there. 
Start shooting.” 

Johnny hearing the rapid firing of his friends, ran 
backwards, keeping the pinnacle between him and his 
enemies as long as he could. Then, once out of its 
shelter, he leaped erratically over the plain and gained 
a clump of chaparral. He now had only about a hun- 
dred yards to go, and Johnny could sprint when need 
was. He sprinted. Joining his friends the three dis- 
appeared in the chaparral and two disgusted rustlers 
helped a badly wounded companion to the rough hos- 
pital in the hut at the top of the mesa trail. 

Johnny and his friends had not gone far before 
Johnny, eager to find a rustler to shoot at, left them to 
go to the edge of the chaparral and while he was away 
his friends stumbled on the body of Pie Willis. Johnny, 
moving cautiously along the edge of the chaparral, 
soon met Buck and Hopalong, who were examining 
every square foot of the mesa wall for a way up. 

46 Hullo, Johnny ! ” cried Hopalong. 44 What you 
doing here? Thought you was plumb stuck on that 
freak rock up north.” 

44 1 was — an’ stuck, for shore,” grinned Johnny. 
44 That rock is a nest of snakes, besides being a fine 
place to get plugged by them fellers. An’ hot ! ” 

44 How’d you get away? ” 

44 Pete an’ Skinny drove ’em back an’ I made my 
getaway. They’re in th’ chaparral somewhere close,” 
[ 298 ] 


Surrounded 

Johnny replied. 44 But why are you telescoping at th’ 
joker? Think you see money out there? ” 

64 Looking for a place to climb it,” Hopalong re- 
sponded. 44 We’re disgusted with this long-range squib- 
bing. You didn’t see no breaks in th’ wall up where 
j you was, did you ? ” 

44 Lemme see,” and Johnny cogitated for a moment. 
Then his face cleared. 44 Shore I did; there’s lots of 
cracks in it, running up an’ down, an’ a couple of 
ledges. I ain’t so shore about th’ ledges, though — you 
see I was too busy to look for ledges during th’ first 
part of th’ seance, and I dassn’t look during th’ last 
of it. There was three of ’em a-popping at me ! ” 

44 Hey, Johnny ! ” came a hail ; 44 Johnny ! ” 

44 That’s Pete an’ Skinny — Hullo!” Johnny 
shouted. 

44 Come here — Pie Willis is done for!” 

44 What? ” 

44 Pie — Willis — is — done — for ! ” 

The three turned and hastened towards the voice, 
shouting questions. They found Skinny and Pete 
standing over the body and sombreros came off as the 
foreman knelt to examine it. Pie had been greatly 
liked by the members of the outfit he had lately joined, 
having been known to them for years. 

44 Clean temple shot,” Buck remarked, covering the 
face and arising. 44 There’s some fine shots up on that 
rock. Well, here’s another reason why we’ve got to 
get up there an’ wipe ’em out quick. Pie was a white 
[ 299 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

man, square as a die and a good puncher — I wouldn’t 
have asked for a better pardner. You fellers take him 
to camp — we’re going to find a w r ay to square things 
if there is one. No, Pete, you an 5 Johnny carry him 
in — • Skinny is going with us.” 

Buck, Hopalong, and Skinny returned to the edge of 
the pasture and the foreman again swept the wall 
through his glasses. “Hey! What’s that? A body?” 

Hopalong looked. “ Yes, two of ’em ! I reckon Pie 
died game, all right.” 

“ Well, come on — we’ve got to move along,” and 
Buck led the way north, Skinny bringing up the rear. 
Next to Lanky Smith, at present nursing wounds at the 
ranch, Skinny was the best man with a rope in the 
Bar-20 outfit and the lariat he used so deftly was one 
hundred and fifty feet in length, much longer than any 
used by those around the mesa. Buck had asked him to 
go with them because he wished to have his opinion as to 
the possibility of getting a rope up the mesa wail. v 

When they came opposite the rock which had shel- 
tered Johnny they sortied to see if that part of the 
mesa was guarded, but there was no sign of life upofc 
it. Then, separating, they dashed to the midway cover, 
the thicket, which they reached without incidents 
From there they continued to the- pinnacle and nor 
could see every rock and seam of the wall with their 
naked eyes. But they used the glasses and after a 
few minutes’ examination of the ledges Hopalong turned 
to his companions. “ Just as Johnny said. Skinny a 
[300] 


Surrounded 

do you reckon if you was under them to-night that you 
could get yore rope fast to th’ bottom one? ” 

“ Shore ; that’s easy. But it won’t be no cinch rop- 
ing th’ other,” Skinny replied. “ She sticks out over 
th’ first by two feet. It’ll be hard to jerk a rope from 
that narrow foothold.” 

“ Somebody can hang onto you so you can lean out,” 
Buck replied. “ Pete can hold you easy.” 

“ But what’ll he hold on to ? ” 

Hopalong pointed. “ See that spur up there, close 
to th’ first ledge? He can hitch a rope around that an’ 
hang to th’ rope. I tell you it’s got to be done. We 
can’t lose no more men in this everlasting pot-shooting 
game. We’ve got to get close an’ clean up ! ” 

“Well, I ain’t saying nothing different, am I?” 
snapped Skinny. “ I’m saying it’ll be hard, an’ it will. 
Now suppose one of them fellers goes on sentry duty 
along this end ; what then ? ” 

“ We’ll solve that when we come to it,” Hopalong re- 
plied. “ I reckon if Red lays on* this rock in th’ 
moonlight that he can drop any sentry that stands up 
against th’ sky at a hundred yards. We’ve got to try 
it, anyhow.” 

“ Down! 99 whispered Buck, wamingly. “ Don’t let 
’em know we’re here. Drop that gun, Hoppy ! ” 

They dropped down behind the loose bowlders while 
the rustler passed along the edge, his face turned towards 
the pinnacle. Then, deciding that Johnny had not re- 
turned, he swept the chaparral with a pair of glasses. 
[ 301 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

Satisfied at length that all was well he turned and dis- 
appeared over a rocky ledge ten feet from the edge of 
the wall. 

“ I could ’a dropped him easy,” grumbled Hopa- 
long, regretfully, and Skinny backed him up. 

“ Shore you could ; but I don’t want them to think 
we are looking at this end,” Buck replied. “ We’ll have 
th’ boys raise th’ devil down south till dark an’ keep 
that gang away from this end.” 

“ I reckon they read yore mind — hear th 5 shoot- 
ing? ” Skinny queried. 

“ That must be Red out there — I can see half of 
him from here,” Hopalong remarked, lowering his 
glasses. “ Look at th’ smoke he’s making 1 Wonder 
what’s up? Hear th’ others, too!” 

“ Come on — we’ll get out of this,” Buck responded. 
“ We’ll go to camp an’ plan for to-night, an’ talk it 
over with th’ rest. I want to hear what Meeker’s 
going to do about it an’ how we can place his men.” 

“ By thunder ! If we can get up there, half a dozen 
of us with Colts, an’ sneak up on ’em, we’ll have this 
fight tied up in a bag so quick they won’t know what’s 
up,” Skinny remarked. “You can bet yore life that 
if there’s any way to get a rope up that wall I’ll do 
it!” 


T 302 1 


CHAPTER XXX 


UP THE WALL 

P IPES were glowing in the shadows away from 
the fire, where men lay in various attitudes of 
•ease. A few were examining wounds while 
others cleaned rifles and saw that their revolvers were 
in good condition. Around the fire but well back from 
it four men sat cross-legged, two others stretched out 
on their elbows and stomachs near them. 

“You say everything is all right on th’ ranch?” 
asked Buck of a man who, covered with alkali, had 
just come from the Bar-20. “ No trouble, hey? ” 

“Nope; no trouble at all,” replied Cross, tossing 
his sombrero aside. “ Lucas an’ Bartlett each sent us 
four men to help out when they learned you had come 
out here. We shipped four of ’em right on to th’ H2, 
which is too short-handed to do any damage to rust- 
lers.” 

“ Much obliged for that,” spoke up Meeker, relief 
in his voice. “ I’m blamed glad to hear things are 
quiet back home — but I don’t know how long they’ll 
stay that way with Eagle so close.” 

“ Well, Eagle ain’t a -whole lot anxious to dip in no 
[303] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

more,” laughed Cross, looking at the H2 foreman. 
44 Leastawise, that’s what Lucas said. He sent a dele- 
gation down there which made a good impression. 
There was ten men in it an’ they let it be known that 
if they came back again there would be ten more with 
’em. In that case Eagle wouldn’t be no more than a 
charred memory. Since Quinn died, being shot hard by 
Nevada, who I reckons is out here, th’ town ain’t got 
nobody to tell it how to do things right, which is shore 
pleasant.” 

44 You bring blamed good news — I’m glad Lucas 
went down there,” Buck replied. 44 1 can’t tell as good 
news about us out here, yet. We’ve had a hard time 
for a week. They got Pie to-day, an’ most of us are 
shot up plentiful. Yo’re just in time for th’ festival. 
Cross — we’re going to try to rush ’em to-night an’ 
get it over. We reckon Skinny an’ Pete can get us a 
way up that wall before dawn.” 

44 Me for th’ rush,” laughed Cross. 44 I’m fresh as 
a daisy, which most of you fellers ain’t. How many 
of ’em have you got so far? Are there many still up 
there ? ” 

44 We’ve got four of ’em that I knows of, an’ how 
many of ’em died from their wounds I can’t say,” re- 
plied Hopalong. 44 But a whole lot of ’em have been 
plugged, an’ plugged hard.” 

44 But how many are up there still able to fight? ” 

44 1 should say about nine,” Hopalong remarked, 
thoughtfully. 


[ 304 ] 


Up the Wall 

“ Ten,” 1 corrected Red. “ I’ve been watching th? 
positions an’ I know.” 

“ About nine or ten — they shift so nobody can 
really tell,” Buck replied. “ I reckon we’ve seen ’em 
all in Eagle, too.” 

“ Frenchy got Nevada an’ another to-day, on th’ 
west side,” Johnny interposed. 

“ I’m glad Nevada is gone — he’s a terror in a mix- 
up,” Cross rejoined. “ Best two-handed gun man in 
Eagle, he was.” 

“ Huh ! ” snorted Johnny. “ Stack him up against 
Hoppy an’ see how long he’d last ! ” 

66 1 said in Eagle ! ” retorted Cross. 

Buck suddenly stood up and stretched. “ You fel- 
lers all' turn in now an’ snatch some sleep. I’m going 
out to see how things are with Billy. I’ll call you in 
time. Doc, you an’ Curtis are too shot up to do any 
climbing — you turn in too. When I come back 
I’ll wake you an’ send you out to help Billy watch th’ 
trail. Where’s Red? ” 

“ Over here — what do you want?” came from the 
shadows. 

“ Nothing, only get to sleep. I reckoned you might 
be off somewheres scouting. Skinny, where’s yore rope? 
Got that manilla one? Good! Put three more hemp 
lariats out here where I can find ’em when I come back. 
Now don’t none of you waste no time ; turn in right now !” 
He started to walk away and then hesitated, turning 
around. “ Doc, you an’ Curtis better come with me 
20 [ 305 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

now so you won’t lose no time hunting Billy in th’ dark 
when yore eyes are sleepy — it’s hard enough to find 
him now in th’ dark, when I’m wide awake. You can 
get yore sleep out there — he’ll wake you when yo’re 
needed.” 

The two punchers arose and joined him, Doc with his 
left arm bandaged and his companion with three 
bandages on him. When they joined Buck Doc pro- 
tested. “ Let me go with you an’ th’ rest of th’ boys, 
Peters, when you go up that wall. I came out here 
to get th’ Greaser that murdered Curley, an’ I hate to 
miss him now. If I can’t climb th’ boys will be glad to 
pull me up, an’ it won’t take no time to speak of. 
My gun arm is sound as a dollar — 1 want that 
Greaser ! ” 

Buck glanced at Meeker, who refused to give any 
sign of his thoughts on the matter. “ Well, all right, 
Doc. But if we should have to fight as soon as we get 
up an’ don’t have no time to pull you after us, you’ll 
miss everything. But you can do what you want.” 

" I’ll just gamble on that. I ain’t hurt much, an’ 
if I can’t climb I’ll manage to get in th’ scrap some- 
way, even if I has to hunt up Billy,” replied Doc, con- 
tentedly, returning to the fire. 

Buck and his companion moved away into the dark- 
ness while those around the fire lay down to get a few 
hours’ rest, which they needed badly. George Cross, 
who was not sleepy, remained awake in a shadow and 
kept guard, although none was needed. 

Buck and Curtis found Billy by whistling and the 

[ 306 ] 


Up the Wall 

wounded H2 puncher found a place to lie down and 
was soon asleep, while the foreman and his friend sat 
up, watching the faint glow on the mesa, the camp-fire 
of the besieged. Once they heard the clatter of a rifle 
from the head of the trail and later they saw a dim 
figure pass quickly across the lighted space. They 
were content to watch on such a night, for the air had 
cooled rapidly after the sun went down and the sky 
was one twinkling mass of stars. 

Twice during the wait Buck disappeared into the 
black chaparral close at hand and struck a match under 
his coat to see the time, and on the last occasion he 
returned to Billy, remarking: 44 Got half an hour yet 
before I leave you. Are you sleepy? ” 

44 No, not very ; my head hurts too much to sleep,” 
Billy replied, re-crossing his legs and settling himself 
in a more comfortable position. 44 When you leave Fll 
get up on my hoofs so I won’t feel like dosing off. I 
won’t wake Curtis unless I have to — he’s about played 
out.” 

44 You wake him when you think I’ve been gone half 
an hour,” Buck ordered. 44 It’ll take him some time to 
get his eyes open — we mustn’t let any get away. 
They’ve got friends in Eagle, you know.” 

44 Wish I could smoke,” Billy remarked, wistfully. 

44 Why, you can,” replied Buck, quickly. 44 Go back 
there in th’ chaparral an’ get away with a pipeful. 
I’ll watch things till you come back, an’ if I need you 
quick I can call. You’ve got near half an hour — 
make th’ best of it.” 


[ 307 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ Here’s th’ gun — much obliged, Buck,” and Billy 
disappeared, leaving the foreman to plan and watch. 
Buck glanced at the sleeping man occasionally when he 
heard him toss or mutter and wished he could let him 
sleep on undisturbed. 

Suddenly a flash lighted up the top of the trail for 
an instant and the sharp report of a rifle rang out 
loudly on the still, night air. Buck, grabbing the Win- 
chester, sprang to his feet as an excited chorus came 
from the rustlers’ stronghold. Then he heard laughter 
and a few curses and quiet again ensued. 

“What was that, Buck?” came a low, anxious hail 
from behind. 

The foreman laughed softly and replied: “ Nothing, 
Billy, except that th’ guard up there reckoned he saw 
something to shoot at. It’s funny how staring at th’ 
dark will get a feller seeing things that ain’t. Why, 
had yore smoke so soon? ” he asked in surprise as Billy 
sat down beside him. 

“ Shore,” replied Billy. “ Two of ’em. I reckon 
yore time is about up. Gimme th’ gun now.” 

“ Well, good luck, Billy. Better move up closer to 
th’ trail if you can find any cover. You don’t want to 
miss none. So long,” and Billy was alone with his 
sleeping companion. 

When the foreman returned to the camp he was 
challenged, and stopped, surprised. “ It’s Peters,” he 
called. 

“Oh, all right. Time to go yet?” asked Cross, 
emerging from the darkness. 

[ 308 ] 


Up the Wall 

“ Purty near ; but I thought I told you to go to 
sleep? ” 

44 1 know, but I ain’t sleepy, not a bit. So I reckoned 
I’d keep watch over th’ rest of th’ gang.” 

44 Well, since yo’re wide awake, you help me knot 
these ropes an’ let th’ others have a few minutes more,” 
Buck responded, picking up Skinny’s fifty-foot lariat 
and placing it to one side. He picked up the three 
shorter ropes and threw one to his companion. 44 Put 
a knot every foot an’ a half — make ’em tight an’ 
big.” 

In a few minutes the work was finished and Buck 
awakened the sleeping men, who groped their way to the 
little stream close by and washed the sleep out of their 
tired eyes, grabbing a bit of food on their return to 
the fire. 

44 Now, fellers,” said the foreman, 44 leave yore rifles 
here — it’s Colts this trip, except in Red’s case. Got 
plenty of cartridges? Everybody had a drink an’ some 
grub ? All right ; single file after me an’ don’t make no 
noise.” 

When the moon came up an hour later Red Connors, 
lying full length on the apex of the pinnacle which 
Johnny had tried and found wanting, watched an indis- 
tinct blurr of men in the shadow of the mesa wall. He 
saw one of them step out into the moonlight, lean back| 
and then straighten up suddenly, his arm going above 
his head. The silence was so intense that Red could 
faintly hear the falling rope as it struck the ground. 
Another cast, and yet another, both unsuccessful, and 

[ 309 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

then the fourth, which held. The puncher stepped back 
into the shadow again and another figure appeared, to 
go jerking himself up the face of the wall. While he 
watched the scaling operations Red was not missing 
anything on the top of the mesa, where the moon bathed 1 
everything in a silvery light. 

Then he saw another figure follow the first and kick 
energetically as it clambered over onto the ledge. Soon 
a rope fell to the plain and the last man up, who was 
Skinny, leaned far out and cast at the second ledge, 
Pete holding him. After some time he was successful 
and again he and his companion went up the wall. Pete 
climbed rapidly, his heavy body but small weight for 
the huge, muscular arms which rose and fell so rapidly. 
On the second ledge the same casting was gone through 
with, but it was not until the eighth attempt that the 
rope stayed up. Then Red, rising on his elbows, put 
his head closer to the stock of his rifle and peered into 
the shadows back of the lighted space on the rocky 
pile. He saw Pete pull his companion back to safety 
and then, leaping forward, grasp the rope and climb to 
the top. Already one of the others was part way up 
the second rope while another was squirming over the 
lower ledge, and below him a third kicked and hauled, 
half way up the first lariat. 

“ String of monkeys,” chuckled Red. “ But they 
can’t none of ’em touch Pete in that sort of a game. 
Wonder what Pete’s doing? ” he queried as he saw the 
man on the top of the mesa bend, fumble around for a 
moment, and then toss his arm out over the edge. “ Oh, 
[ 310 ] 


Up the Wall 

it’s a knotted rope — he’s throwing it down for th’ 
others. Well, Pete, old feller, you was th’ first man to 
get — Lord! ” 

He saw Pete wheel, leap forward into a shadow, and 
then a heaving, twisting, bending bulk emerged into 
the moonlight. It swayed back and forth, separated 
into two figures and then became one again. 

“They’re fighting, rough an’ tumble!” Red ex- 
claimed. “ Lord have mercy on th’ man who’s closing 
with that Pete of oum ! ” 

He could hear the scuffling and he knew that the 
others had heard it, too, for Skinny was desperately 
anxious to wriggle over the edge, while down the line 
of ropes the others acted like men crazed. Still the 
pair on the mesa top swayed back and forth, this way 
and that, bending, twisting, and Red imagined he could 
hear their labored breathing. Then Skinny managed 
to pull himself to the top of the wall and sprang for- 
ward, to sink down from a kick in the stomach. 

“ God A’mighty ! ” cried Red excitedly. “ Who is 
it that can give Pete a fight like that? Well, I’m glad 
he’s so busy he can’t use his gun ! ” 

Skinny was crawling around on his hands and knees 
as Buck’s head arose over the edge. The foreman, well 
along in years, and heavy, was too tired to draw him- 
self over the rim without a moment’s rest. He had no 
fear for Pete, but he was worried lest some rustler 
might sound an alarm. Skinny now sat up and felt 
for his Colt, but the foreman’s voice stopped him. “ No 
shooting, yet! Want to tell ’em what’s up! You let 
[ 311 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

them fellers alone for a minute, an’ give me a hand 
here.” 

Pete, his steel-like fingers darting in for hold after 
hold, managed to jerk his opponent’s gun from its 
sheath and throw it aside, where Skinny quickly picked 
it up. He was astonished by the skill and strength of 
his adversary, who blocked every move, every attempt 
to get a dangerous hold. Pete, for a man reputed as 
being slow, which he was in some things, was darting 
his arms in and out with remarkable quickness, but 
without avail. Then, realizing that his cleaner living 
was standing him in good stead, and hearing the labored 
breathing of the rustler, he leaped in and clinched. By 
this time Hopalong and three more of the attacking 
force had gained the mesa top and were sent forward 
by the foreman, who was now intent upon the struggle 
at hand. 

“ It’s Big Sandy ! ” Hopalong whispered to Skinny, 
pausing to watch for a moment before he disappeared 
into the shadows. 

He was right, and Big Sandy, breathless and tired, 
was fighting a splendid fight for his life against a 
younger, fresher, and stronger man. The rustler tried 
several times for a throat hold but in vain, and in a fury 
of rage threw his weight against his opponent to bear 
him to the ground, incautiously bringing his feet close 
together as he felt the other yield. In that instant 
Pete dropped to a crouch, his vice-like hands tightened 
about Big Sandy’s ankles, and with a sudden, great 
surge of his powerful back and shoulders he straignt- 
[ 312 ] 


Up the Wall 

ened up and Sandy plunged forward to a crashing fall 
on the very edge of the mesa, scrambled to his feet, 
staggered, lost his balance, and fell backwards a hun- 
dred feet to the rocks below. 

The victor would have followed him but for Buck,, 
who grasped him in time. Pete, steady on his feet 
again, threw Buck from him by one sweep of his arms 
and wheeled to renew the fight, surprise flashing across 
his face at not seeing his opponent. 

44 He’s down below, Pete,” Buck cried as Johnny, 
white-faced, crawled over the edge. 

44 What was that ? ” exclaimed the Kid. 44 Who 
1 fell?” 

44 Big Sandy,” replied the foreman. 44 He — ” the 
report of a shot cut him short. 44 Come on ! ” he cried. 
44 They’re at it ! ” and he dashed away, closely followed 
by Johnny and Pete as Jim Meeker came into view. 
The H2 foreman slid over the mesa rim, leaped to his 
feet and sprinted forward, Colt in hand, to be quickly 
lost in the shadows, and after him came Red Cornors, 
the last. 

Down below Doc, hearing a thud not far from him, 
hurried around a spur of rock in the -wall, sick at heart 
when he saw the body. Bending over quickly he recog- 
nized the mass as once having been Big Sandy, and he 
forthwith returned to the rope to be pulled up. When 
he at last realized that his friends had forgotten him 
there was loud, lurid cursing and he stamped around 
like a wild man, waving a Colt in his right hand. 
Finally he dropped heavily on a rock, too enraged to 
[ 313 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

think, and called the attacking force, collectively and 
individually, every name that sprang to his lips. As 
he grew calmer he arose from the rock, intending to 
join Billy and Curtis at the other end of the pasture, 
and as he took a step in that direction he heard a sharp 
click and a pebble bounced past him. He stepped 
backwards quickly and looked up, seeing a figure slid- 
ing rapidly down the highest rope. He was immedi- 
ately filled with satisfaction and easily forgave his com- 
panions for the anxiety they had caused him, and as 
he was about to call out he heard a Spanish oath. Slip- 
ping quickly and noiselessly into the deeper shadow at 
the base of the wall he flattened himself behind the spur 
of rock close to the rope, where he waited tensely, a 
grim smile transforming his face. 


TS14J 


CHAPTER XXXI 


FORTUNE SNICKERS AT DOC 

A NTONIO was restless and could not sleep. He 
turned from side to side on the ground near the 
fire before the hut and was one of the first to 
run to the top of the trail when the guard there dis- 
charged his rifle at nothing. Returning to his blanket 
the Mexican tried to compose himself to rest, but was 
unsuccessful. Finally he arose, picked up his rifle, and 
slouched off into the shadows to wander about from 
point to point. 

Cavalry, coming in from his post to get a drink, 
caught sight of the Mexican before he was swallowed 
up by the darkness and, suspicious as ever of Antonio, 
forgot the drink and followed. 

After wandering about all unconscious of espionage 
Antonio finally drifted to the western edge and seated 
himself comfortably against a bowlder, Cavalry not 
fifty feet aw T ay in a shadow. Time passed slowly and 
as the Mexican was about to return to the fire he chanced 
to glance across the mesa along a moon-lighted path 
and stiffened at wdiat he saw. A figure ran across the 
lighted space, silently, cautiously, Colt in hand, and 
[ 315 ] ' 


Hopalong Cassidy 

then another, then two together, and the Mexican knew 
that the enemy had found a way up the wall and were 
hurrying forward to fight at close quarters, to effect a 
surprise on the unsuspecting men about the fire and in 
the hut. There remained, perhaps, time enough for 
him to escape and he arose and ran north, crouching as 
he zig-zagged from cover to cover, cautious and alert. 

Cavalry, because of his position, had not seen the 
flitting punchers and, his suspicions now fully aroused, 
he slipped after the Mexican to find out just what he was 
going to do. When the firing burst out behind him he 
paused and stood up, amazed. As he struggled to un- 
derstand what it meant he saw three men run past a 
bowlder at his left and then he knew, and still hesitated. 
He was not a man who thought quickly and his first nat- 
ural impulse, due to his army training, was to try to 
join his friends, but gradually the true situation came 
to him. How many men there were in the attacking 
force he did not know, but he had seen three after the 
fighting had begun ; and it was evident that the cowmen 
would not rush into the lion’s jaws unless they were 
strong enough to batter down all resistance. Four of 
his friends were dead, another had evidently deserted, 
and the remainder were all more or less severely wounded 
— there could be no hope of driving the ranchmen back, i 
and small chance of him being able to work through j 
their line to join his friends. There remained only one 
thing to be done, to save himself while he might. 

As he moved forward slowly and cautiously to find a 
way down the wall he remembered the Mexican’s peculiar 
[ 316 ] 


Fortune Snickers at Doc 

actions and wondered if he had a hand in helping the 
cowmen up. 

Meanwhile Antonio, reaching the edge of the open 
space where Pete and Big Sandy had fought, saw Red 
Connors appear over the rim and dash away to join in 
the fighting. Waiting long enough to assure himself 
that there were none following Red he ran to the edge 
and knelt by the rope. Leaving his rifle behind and see- 
ing that the flap of his holster was fastened securely, he 
lowered himself over, sliding rapidly down to the first 
ledge. Here he spent a minute, a minute that seemed 
an eternity, hunting for the second rope in the shadows, 
found it and went on. 

Sliding and bumping down the rough wall he at last 
reached the plain and, with a sigh of relief, turned to 
run. At that instant a figure leaped upon him from 
behind and a hand gripped his throat and jerked him 
over backwards. Antonio instinctively reached for his 
Colt with one hand while he tore at the gripping fingers 
with the other, but he found himself pinned down be- 
tween two rocks in such a manner that his whole weight 
and that of his enemy was on the holster and made his 
effort useless. Then, terrified and choking for breath, 
he dug wildly at the vice-like fingers which not for a 
moment relaxed, but in vain, for he was growing weaker 
with each passing second. 

Doc leaned forward, peering into the face before him, 
his fingers gripping with all their ppwer, gripping with 
a force which made the muscles of the brawny forearm 
stand out like cords, his face malevolent and his heart 
[ 317 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

full of savage joy. Here was the end of his hunt, here 
was the man who had murdered Curley in cold blood, 
cowardly, deliberately. The face, already dark, was 
turning black and the eyes were growing wide open and 
bulging out. He felt the surge of the Mexican’s pulse, 
steadily growing weaker. But he said no word as he | 
watched and gloated, he was too intent to speak, too cen- 
tred upon the man under him, too busy keeping his 
fingers tight-gripped. He would make good his threat, 
he would keep his word and kill the murderer of his best 
friend with his naked hand, as he had sworn. 

Up above the two Cavalry, working along the edge, 
had come across Antonio’s rifle and then as he glanced 
about, saw the rope. Here was where the cowmen had 
come up and here was where he could go down. From 
the way the shooting continued he knew that the fight 
was desperate and he believed himself to be cut off from 
his friends. He hated to desert in the face of the enemy, 
to leave his companions of a dangerous business to fight 
for their lives without him, but there was only one thing 
to do since he could not help them — he must save him- 
self. 

Dropping his rifle beside the other he lowered himself 
over the edge and slid rapidly down. When halfway 
down the last rope his burning hands slipped and he 
fell head over heels, and landed on Doc, knocking him 
over and partially stunning him. Cavalry’s only 
idea now was to escape from the men who, as he 
thought, were guarding the rope and, hastily picking 
himself up, he dashed towards the chaparral to the west 
[ 318 ] 


Fortune Snickers at Doc 

as fast as he could run, every moment expecting to feel 
the hot sting of a bullet. At last, when the chaparral 
closed about him he plunged through it recklessly and 
ran until sheer exhaustion made him drop insensible to 
the sand. He had run far, much farther than he could 
have gone were it not for the stimulus of the fear which 
gripped him; and had he noticed where he was going 
he would have known that he was running up a slope, 
a slope which eventually reached a level higher than the 
top of the mesa. And when he dropped if he had been 
capable of observation he would have found himself in 
a chaparral which arose above his head, and seen the 
narrow lane through it which led to a great expanse of 
sand, tawney and blotched with ash-colored alkali, an ex- 
panse which stretched away to the desolate horizon. 

Shortly after Cavalry’s descent Antonio stirred, 
opened his eyes, stared vaguely about him and, feeling 
his bruised and aching throat, staggered to his feet and 
stumbled to the east, hardly conscious of what he was do- 
ing. As he proceeded his breath came easier and he be- 
gan to remember having seen Doc lying quiet against a 
rock. He hesitated a moment as he wondered if Doc 
was dead and if so, who had killed him. Then he swore 
because he had not given him a shot to make sure that 
he would not rejoin his friends. Hesitating a moment 
he suddenly decided that he would be better off if he put 
a good distance between himself and the mesa, and ran 
on again, eager to gain the shelter of the chaparral. 

When Doc opened his eyes and groped around he 
slowly remembered what had occurred and his first con- 
[ 319 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

scious act was to look to see if his expected 5 victim were 
dead or alive. It did not take him long to realize that 
he was alone and his hand leaped for his Colt as he 
peered around. Limping out on the plain he caught 
sight of the running Mexican, rapidly growing indis- 
tinct, and hazarded two shots after him. Antonio leaped 
into a new speed as though struck with a whip and 
cursed himself for not having killed the H2 puncher 
when he had the chance. A moment more and he was 
lost in the thickets. Doc tried to follow, but his leg, 
hurt by Cavalry’s meteoric descent, was not equal to any 
great demand for speed and so, turning, he made his 
way towards the camp to get a horse and return to take 
up the Mexican’s trail. 

He lost an hour in this, a feverishly impatient hour, 
punctuated with curses as he limped along and with an 
unsparing quirt once he was astride. What devilish 
Humpty Dumpty had cheated him this time ? 44 All the 

king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put 
Humpty Dumpty together again ” — they couldn’t if 
he once caught up with the Mexican. He laughed grimly 
and swore again as the cranky beast beneath him shied a 
pain into his sore leg. 44 Go on, you ! ” he yelled, 
as he swept up to where the ropes still dangled 
against the wall. 44 Th’ Mexican first,” he muttered. 
The world was not big enough to hide the mur- 
derer of Curley, to save him from his just deserts. 
The two trails lay plain before him in the brilliant moon- 
light and his pony sprang forward toward the spot 
fvhere Antonio had disappeared in the chaparral. 

[ 320 ] 


CHAPTER XXXII 


NATURE TAKES A HAND 

W HEN Hopalong caught up with his four 
companions he was astonished by the con- 
ditions on the mesa. Instead of a bowlder- 
strewn, rocky plain as he had believed it to be he found 
himself on a table-land cut and barred by fissures which 
ran in all directions. At one time these had been open 
almost to the level of the surrounding pasture but the 
winds had swept sand and debris into the gashes until 
now none were much more than ten feet deep. Narrow 
alleyways which led in every direction, twisting and 
turning, now blocked and now open for many feet in 
depth, their walls sand-beaten to a smoothness baffling 
the grip of one who would scale them, were not the same 
in a fight as a comparatively flat plain broken only by 
miscellaneous bowlders and hummocks. There could be 
no concerted dash for the reason that one group of the 
attacking force might be delayed until after another had 
begun to fight. And it was possible, even probable, that 
the turns in the alleyways might be guarded; and once 
separated in the heat of battle it would be easy enough 
to shoot each other. Instead of a dashing fight soon to 
21 [ 321 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

be over, it looked as though it would be a deadly game 
of hide and seek to wear out the players and which might 
last for an indefinite length of time. It was disconcert- 
ing to find that what had been regarded as the hardest 
part of the whole affair, the gaining of the mesa top, 
was the easiest. 

64 Here, fellows ! 99 Hopalong growled. 44 We’ll stick 
together till we get right close, an’ then if we have time 
an’ these infernal gorges don’t stop us, we may be able 
to spread out. We’ve got to move easy, too. If we go 
galloping reckless we’ll run into some guard an’ there 
won’t be no surprise party on Thunder Mesa. We can 
count on having light, though not as much as we might 
have, for th’ moon won’t go back on us till th’ sun fades 
it.” 

44 It’s light enough,” growled Skinny. 44 Come on — 
we’ve got to go ahead an’ every minute counts. 7 didn’t 
think we’d lose so much time roping them knobs an’ 
getting up.” 

They moved forward cautiously in single file, alert 
and straining eyes and ears, and had covered half of the 
distance when a shot was heard ahead and they listened, 
expecting an uproar. Waiting a minute and hearing 
nothing further, they moved on again, angry and dis- 
gruntled. Then another shot rang out and they heard 
Billy and Curtis reply. 

44 Shooting before daylight, before they get their 
morning’s grub,” grumbled George Cross. 

44 Yes; sort of eye-opener, I reckon,” softly laughed 

[ 322 ] 


Nature Takes a Hand 

Chick Travers, who was nervous and impatient. “ Get 
a move on an’ let’s start something,” he added. 

As they separated to take advantage of a spoke-like 
radiation of several intersecting fissures another shot 
rang out ahead and there was an angry spat! close to 
Hopalong’s head. Another shot and then a rattling 
volley sent the punchers hunting cover on the run, but 
i they w r ere moving forward all the time. It was a case 
of getting close or be killed at a range too great for 
Colts, and their rifles were in the camp. Had the light 
been better the invaders might have paid dearly right 
I there for the attack. 

Confusion was rife among the defenders and the noise 
of the shouts and firing made one jumble of sound. 
Bullets whistled along the fissures in the dim light and 
hummed and whizzed as they ricochetted from wall to 
wall. As yet the attacking force had made no reply, be- 
ing too busily occupied in getting close to lose time in 
wasting lead at that range, and being only five against 
an unknown number protected by a stone hut and who 
knew every bowdder, crevice, and other points of vantage. 

Hopalong slid over a bowlder which choked his par- 
ticular and personal fissure and saw Jim Meeker sliding 
down the wall in front of it. And as Meeker picked 
himself up Skinny Thompson slid down the other wall. 

“ Well, I’m hanged! ” grunted Hopalong in astonish- 
ment. 

“ Same here,” retorted Skinny. “ What you doing 
’way over here? ” 


[ 323 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

44 Thought you was going to lead th’ other end of th’ 
line!” rejoined Hopalong. 

44 This is it — yo’re off yore range.” 

44 Well, I reckon not!” Hopalong responded, indig- 
nantly. 

44 An’ say, Meeker, how’d you get over here so 
quick?” Skinny asked, turning to the other. 44 You 
was down below when I saw you last.” 

“ Me? Why, I just follered my nose, that’s all,” 
Meeker replied, surprised. 

44 You’ve got a blamed crooked nose, then,” Skinny 
snorted, and turned to Hopalong. 44 Why don’t you 
untangle yoreself an’ go where you belong, you carrot- 
headed blunderer ! ” 

44 Hang it ! I tell you I — ” Hopalong began, and 
then ducked quickly. 44 Lord, but somebody’s got us 
mapped out good ! ” 

44 Well, some of our fellers have started up — hear 
’em over there? ” exclaimed Skinny as firing broke out 
on the east. 44 Them’s Colts, all right. Mebby it’s 
plumb lucky for us it ain’t so blamed light, after all; 
we’ll have time to pick our places before they can see 
us real good.” 

44 Pick our places ! ” snorted Hopalong. 44 Get 
tangled up, you mean ! ” he added. 

“Hullo! What you doing, fellers?” asked a 
pained and surprised voice above them. 44 Why ain’t 
you in it ? ” 

44 For th’ love of heaven — it’s Frenchy ! ” cried 

[ 324 ] 


Nature Takes a Hand 

Hopalong. 44 Skinny, I reckon them Colts you heard 
belonged to th’ rustlers. We* re all here but a couple.” 

46 Didn’t I leave you over east about five minutes ago, 
FrenchyP ” demanded Skinny, his mouth almost refus- 
ing to shut. 

44 Shore. I’m east — what’s eating at you ? ” 
asked Frenchy. 

44 Come on — get out of this ! ” ordered Hopalong, 
scrambling ahead. 44 You f oiler me an’ you’ll be all 
right.” 

44 We’ll be back to th’ ropes if we f oiler you,” 
growled Skinny. 44 Of all th’ locoed layouts I ever run 
up against this here mesa top takes th’ prize,” he finished 
in disgust. 

Bullets whined and droned above them and frequently 
hummed down the fissure to search them out, the high, 
falsetto whine changing quickly to an angry spang! as 
they struck the wall a slanting blow. They seemed to 
spring away again with renewed strength as they sang 
the loud, whirring hum of the ricochette, not the al- 
most musical, sad note of the uninterrupted bullet, but 
venomous, assertive, insistent. The shots could be dis- 
tinguished now, for on one side were the sharp cracks of 
rifles ; on the other a different note, the roar of Colts. 

44 This ain’t no fit society for six-shooters,” Meeker 
remarked in a low voice as they slid over a ridge, and 
dropped ten feet before they knew it. 

44 For th’ Lord’s sake!” ejaculated Hopalong as he 
arose to his feet. 44 Step over a rock an’ you need 
[ 325 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

wings ! Foller a nice trail an’ you can’t get out of th’ 
cussed thing ! Go west an’ you land east, say 6 so- 
long ’ to a friend an’ you meet him a minute later! ” 

“ We ought to have rifles in this game,” Meeker re- 
marked, rubbing his knee-cap ruefully. 

“Yes; an’ ladders, ropes, an’ balloons,” snorted 
Skinny. 

“Send somebody back for th’ guns,” suggested^ 
Frenchy. 

“ Who? ” demanded Hopalong. “ Will you go? ” 

“ Me? Why, I don’t want no rifle! ” 

“Huh! Neither do I,” remarked Skinny. “Here, 
Frenchy, give me a boost up this wall, — take my 
foot! ” 

“ Well, don’t wiggle so, you piece of string ! ” 
“That’s right! Walk backwards! I ain’t no fold- 
ing step-ladder! How do you think I’m going to grab 
that edge if you takes me ten feet away from it? ” 
Spang! Spang! Zing-ing-ing! 

“Here, you! Lemme down! Want me to get 
plugged ! ” yelled Skinny, executing ungraceful and 
rapid contortions. “ Lower me, you fool ! ” 

“ Let go that ridge, then ! ” retorted Frenchy. 

During the comedy Hopalong had been crawling up 
a rough part of the wall and he fired before he lost his 
balance. As he landed on Meeker a yell rang out and 
the sound of a rifle clattering on rock came to them. 
“ I got him, Skinny — go ahead now,” he grunted, 
picking himself up. 

It was not long until they were out of the fissure and 

[ 326 ] 


Nature Takes a Hand 

crawling down a bowlder-strewn slope. As they came 
to the bottom they saw a rustler trying to drag him- 
self to cover and Meeker fired instantly, stopping the 
other short. 

44 Why, I thought 1 stopped him ! ” exclaimed Hop- 
along. 

44 Reckon you won’t rustle no more cows, you thief,” 
growled Meeker, rising to his knees. 

Hopalong pulled him down again as a bullet whizzed 
through the space just occupied by his head. 44 Don’t 
you get so curious,” he warned. 44 Come on — I see 
Red. He’s got his rifle, lucky cuss.” 

44 Good for him ! Wish I had mine,” replied Meeker, 
grinning at Red, who wriggled an elbow as a salutation. 
In his position Red could hardly be expected to do much 
more, since two men were waiting for a shot at him. 

44 Well, you can get that gun down there an’ have a 
rifle,” Hopalong suggested, pointing to the Winchester 
lying close to its former owner. 44 You can do it, all 
right.” 

44 Good idea — shoot ’em with their own lead,” and 
the H2 foreman departed on his hands and knees for the 
weapon. 

44 1 hit one — he’s trying to put his shoulder to- 
gether,” cried Red, grinning. 44 What makes you so 
late — I was th’ last one up, an’ I’ve been here a couple 
of hours.” 

44 Yo’re a sinful liar!” retorted Hopalong. 44 We 
stopped to pick blackberries back at that farm house,” 
he finished with withering sarcasm. 

[ 327 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ You fellers had time to get married an’ raise a fam* 
ily,” Red replied. He ducked and looked around. 
“ Ah, you coyote — hit him, but not very hard, I 
reckon.” 

It was daylight when Pete, on the other end of the 
line, turned and scourged Johnny. “ Ain’t you got 
no sense in yore fool head? How can I see to shoot 
when you kick around like that an’ fill my eyes with 
dirt ! Come down from up there or I’ll lick you ! ” 

“Ah, shut up!” retorted Johnny with a curse. 
“ You’d kick around if somebody nicked yore ear! ” 

“ Well, it serves you right for being so unholy cu- 
rious ! ” Pete replied. “ You come down before he nicks 
yore eye ! ” 

“ Not before I get square — Wow! ” and Johnny 
came down rapidly. 

“ Where’d he get you that time? ” 

“ None of yore business ! ” growled Johnny. 

“ I told you to come — ” 

“Shut up!” roared Johnny, glaring at him. 
“ Wish I had that new Sharps of mine ! ” 

66 Go an’ get it, Kid. Yo’re nimble,” Pete responded. 
“ An’ bring up some of th’ others, too, while yo’re 
about it.” ( 

“ But how long will this fight last, do you reckon ? ” 
the other asked, with an air of weighing something. 

“ All day with rifles — a w r eek without ’em.” 

“ Shore yo’re right? ” 

“Yes; go ahead. There’ll be some of th’ scrap left 
for you when you get back.” 

[328 ] 


Nature Takes a Hand 

“ All right, — but don’t you get that feller. I want 
him for what he did to me,” and Johnny hastened away. 
He returned in fifteen minutes with two rifles and gave 
one of them to his companion. 

“They’re .45-70’s — an’ full, too,” he remarked. 
“ But I ain’t got no more cartridges for ’em.” 

“ How’d you get ’em so quick? ” 

“Found ’em by th’ rope where we come up — didn’t) 
have to stop; just picked ’em up an’ came right back,” 
Johnny laughed. “ But I wonder how they got there? ” 

“ Bet four dollars an’ a tooth-pick they means that 
two thieves got away down them ropes. Where’s 
Doc?” 

“ Don’t know — but I don’t think anybody pulled 
him up here.” 

“ Then he might ’a stopped them two what owned th’ 
rifles — he would be mad enough to stay there a month 
if Red forgot him.” 

“ Yes; -waiting to lick Red when he came down,” and 
Johnny crawled up again to his former position. 

“ Now, you cow-stealing coyote, watch out ! ” As he 
settled down he caught sight of his foreman. “ Hullo, 
Buck! What you doing?” 

“ Stringing beads for my night shirt,” retorted Buck. 

“ You get down from up there, you fool ! ” 

“Can’t. I got to pay for — ” he ducked, andj 
then fired twice. “Just missed th’ other ear, Pete. 
But I made him jump a foot — plugged him where he 
sits down. He was moving away. An’ blamed if he 
ain’t a Greaser 1” 


[ 329 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“Yes; an’ you took two shots to do it, when cart- 
ridges are so scarce,” Pete grumbled. 

At first several of the rustlers had defended the hut 
but the concentrated fire of the attacking force had 
poured through its north wdndow from so many angles 
that evacuation became necessary. This was accom- 
plished through the south window, which opened behind 
the natural breastwork, and at a great cost, for Con 
Irwin and Sam Austin were killed in the move. 

The high, steep ridge which formed the rear w T all of 
the hut and overlooked the roof of the building ran at 
right angles to the low breastwork and extended from 
the north end of the hut to the edge of the mesa, a 
distance of perhaps fifty feet. On the side farthest 
from the breastwork it sloped to the stream made by the 
spring and its surface w r as covered wdth bowlders. The 
rustlers, if they attempted to scale its steep face, would 
be picked off at short range, but they realized that once 
the enemy gained its top their position would be 
untenable except around the turn in the breastwork 
at the other side of the mesa. In order to keep the 
punchers from gaining this position they covered the 
wide cut w r hich separated the ridge from the enemy’s 
line, and so long as they could command this they were 
safe. 

After wandering from point to point Hopalong 
finally came to the edge of the cut and found Red Con- 
nors ensconced in a narrow, shallow depression on a 
comparatively high hummock. While they talked his 
[ 330 ] 


Nature Takes a Hand 

.eyes rested on the ridge across the cut and took in the 
possibilities that holding it would give. 

44 Say, Red, if we could get up on that hill behind th’ 
shack we’d have this fight over in no time — see how it 
overlooks everything? ” 

44 Yes,” slowly replied Red. 44 But we can’t cross 
this barranca — they sweep it from end to end. I 
tried to get over there, an’ I know.” 

44 But we can try again,” Hopalong replied. 44 You 
cover me.” 

44 Now don’t be a fool, Hoppy!” his friend retorted. 
44 We can’t afford to lose you for no gang of rustlers. 
It’s shore death to try it.” 

44 Well, you can bet I ain’t going to be fool enough 
to run twenty yards in th’ open,” Hopalong replied, 
starting away. 44 But I’m going to look for a way 
across, just th’ same. Keep me covered.” 

44 All right, I’ll do my best — but don’t you try no 
dash ! ” 

But the rustlers had not given up the idea of holding 
the ridge themselves, and there was another and just as 
important reason why they must have it; their only 
water was in the hut and the spring. To enter the 
building was certain death, but if they could command 
the ridge it would be possible to get water, for the 
spring and rivulet lay on the other side at its base. 
Hall, well knowing the folly of trying to scale the steep 
bank under fire, set about finding another way to gain 
the coveted position. He found a narrow ledge on the 
[331 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

face of the mesa wall, at no place more than eight 
inches wide, and he believed that it led to the rear of the 
ridge. Finding that the wall above the narrow foot- 
hold was rough and offered precarious finger holds, he 
began to edge along it, a hundred feet above the plain. 
When he had almost reached the end of his trying labors 
he was discovered by Billy and Curtis, who lay four 
hundred yards away in the chaparral, and at once be- 
came the target for their rifles. Were it not for the 
fact that they could not shoot at their best because 
their wounds Hall would never have finished his attempt, 
and as it was the bullets flattened against the wall so 
close to him that on two occasions he was struck by 
spattering lead and flecks of stone. Then he moved 
around the turn and was free from that danger, but 
found that he must get fifty yards north before he 
could gain the plateau again. To make matters worse 
the ledge he was on began to grow narrower and at one 
place disappeared altogether. When he got to the 
gap he had to cling to the rough wall and move forward 
inch by inch, twice narrowly missing a drop to the plain 
below. But he managed to get across it and strike the 
ledge again and in a few minutes more he stepped into 
a. crevice and sat down to rest before he pushed on. 
When he looked around he found that the crevice led 
northeast and did not run to the ridge, and he swore 
as he realized that he must go through the enemy’s line 
to gain the position. He would not risk going back 
the way he had come, for he was pretty well tired out. 
He thought of trying to get to the other end of the mesa 
[832 ] 


Nature Takes a Hand 

so as to escape by the way the attacking force had 
come up, but immediately put it out of his mind as 
being too contemptible for further consideration. He 
arose and moved forward, seeking a way up the wall of 
the crevice — and turning a corner, bumped into Jim 
Meeker. 

There was no time for weapons and they clinched. 
Meeker scorned to call for help and Hall dared make no» 
unnecessary noise while in the enemy’s line and so they 
fought silently. Both tried to draw their Colts, Meeker 
to use his either as a gun or a club, Hall as a club only, 
and neither succeeded. Both were getting tired when 
Hall slipped and fell, the H2 foreman on top of him. 
At that instant Buck Peters peered down at them from 
the edge of the fissure and then dropped lightly. He 
struck Hall over the head with the butt of his Colt and 
stepped back, grinning. 

46 There’ll be a lot more of these duets if this fight 
drags out very long,” Buck said. 44 This layout is 
shore loco with all its hidden trails. Have you got a 
rope, Jim? We’ll tie this gent so he won’t hurt hisself 
if you can find one.” 

44 No. Much obliged, Peters,” Meeker replied. 
44 Why, yes I have, too. Here, use this,” and he quickly 
untied his neck-kerchief and gave it to his friend. Buck 
took the one from around Hall’s neck and the two fore- 
men gave a deft and practical exhibition of how to tie 
a man so he cannot get loose. Meeker took the Win- 
chester from Hall’s back, the Colt and the cartridge 
belt, and gave them to Buck, laughing. 

[ 333 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ Seventy-three model ; .44 caliber,” he explained. 
44 You’ll find it better than th’ six-shooter, an’ you’ll have 
plenty of cartridges for it, too.” 

44 But don’t you want it? ” asked Buck, hesitating. 

“ Nope. I left one around th’ corner here. I can 
get along with it till I get my own from th’ camp.” 

44 All right, Jim. I’ll be glad to keep this — it’ll 
come in handy.” 

“ Tough luck, finding them fellers in such a strong 
layout,” Meeker growled, glancing around at the pris- 
oner. 44 Ah, got yore eyes open, hey ? ” he ej aculated 
as Hall glared at him. 44 How many of you fellers are 
up here, anyhow? ” 

44 Five thousand ! ” snapped Hall. 44 It took two of 
you to get me ! ” he blazed. 44 Got my guns, too, ain’t 
you ? Hope they bust an’ blow yore cussed heads off ! ” 

44 Thanks, stranger, thanks,” Buck replied, turning 
to leave. 44 But Meeker had you licked good — I only 
hurried it to save time. Coming, Jim?” 

‘ 4 Shore. But do you think this thief can get loose? ” 

Buck paused, searching his pockets, and smiled as he 
brought to light a small, tight roll of rawhide thongs. 
44 Here, this’ll keep him down,” and when they had fin- 
ished their prisoner could move neither hands nor feet. 

, They looked at him critically and then went away to- 
wards the firing, the rustler cursing them heartily. 

44 What’s th’ matter, Meeker? ” asked Buck suddenly, 
noticing a drawn look on his companion’s face. 

44 Oh, I can’t help worrying about my girl. She ain’t 
scared of nothing an’ she likes to ride. She’s too purty 
[ 334 ] 


Nature Takes a Hand 

to go breezing over a range that’s covered with rustling 
skunks. I told her to stay in th’ house, but — ” 

“ Well, why in thunder don’t you go back where you 
can take care of her?” Buck demanded, sharply. 
“ She’s worth more than all th’ cows an’ rustlers on 
earth. You ain’t needed bad out here, for we can clean 
this up, all right. You know as long as there are fellers 
like us to handle a thing like this no man with a girl de- 
pending on him has really got any right to take chances. 
I never thought of it before, or I’d ’a told you so. You 
cut loose for home to-day, an’ leave us to finish this.” 

“ Well, I’ll see how things go to-morrow, then. I can 
pull out th’ next morning if everything is all right out 
here.” He hesitated a moment, looking Buck steadily 
in the eyes, a peculiar expression on his face. “ Peters, 
yo’re a white man, one of th’ whitest I ever met, an’ 
you’ve got a white outfit. I don’t reckon we’ll have no 
more trouble about that line of youm, not nohow. 
When we settle down to peace an’ punching again I’m 
going to let you show me how to put down some wells 
at th’ southern base of yore hills, like you said one day. 
If I can get water, a half as much as you got in th’ 
Jumping Bear, I’ll be fixed all right. But I want to 
ask you a fair question., man to man. I ain’t no real 
fool an’ I’ve seen more than I’m supposed to, but I want 
to be shore about this, dead shore. What kind of a man 
is Hopalong Cassidy when it comes to women ? ” 

Buck looked at him frankly. “ If I had a daughter 
I wouldn’t want a better man for her.” 


[335 ] 


CHAPTER XXXIII 


DOC TRAILS 

D OC had not gone far into the chaparral before 
he realized that his work was going to be hard. 
The trail was much fainter than it would have 
been if the Mexican were mounted; the moonlight failed 
to penetrate the chaparral except in irregular patches 
which made the surrounding shadows all the deeper by 
contrast; what little he saw of the trail led through 
places far too small and turning too sharply to permit 
being followed by a man on horseback, and lastly, he 
expected every minute to be fired upon, and at close 
range. He paused and thought a while — Antonio 
would head for Eagle, that being the only place where 
he could get assistance, and there he would find friends. 
Doc picked his way out of the labyrinth of tortuous 
alleys and finally came to a comparatively wide lane 
leading southeast. He rode at a canter now and 
planned how he would strike the fugitive’s trail further 
down, and after he had ridden a few miles he was struck 
by a thought that stopped him at once. 

“ Hang it all, he might ’a headed for them construc- 
tion camps or for one of th’ north ranches, to steal a 
[ 336 ] 


Doc Trails 

cayuse,” he muttered. “ Th’ only safe thing for me to 
do is to jump his trail an’ stop guessing, an 5 even then 
mebby he’ll get me before I get him. That’s a clean 
gamble, an’ so here goes,” wheeling and retracing his 
course. When he again found the trail at the place he 
had quit it, he dismounted and crawled along on his 
hands and knees in order to follow the foot-prints among 
the shadows. Then some animal bounded up in front 
of him and leaped away, and as he turned to look after 
it he caught sight of his horse standing on its hind 
legs, and the next instant it was crashing through the 
chaparral. Drawing his Colt and cursing he ran back 
in time to see the horse gain an alleyway and gallop 
off. Angered thoroughly he sent a shot after it and 
then followed it, finally capturing it in a blind alley. 
Roundfy cursing the frightened beast he led it back to 
where he had left the trail and, keeping one hand on the 
reins, continued to follow the foot-prints. Day broke 
when he had reached the edge of the chaparral and he 
mounted with a sigh of relief and rode forward along 
the now plainly marked trail. 

As he cantered along he kept his eyes searching every 
possible cover ahead of and on both sides of him, watch- 
ing the trail as far ahead as he could see it, for the 
Mexican might have doubled back to get a pursuer as he 
rode past. After an hour of this caution he slapped 
his thigh and grinned at his foolishness. 

“Now ain’t I a cussed fool!” he exclaimed. “A 
regular, old-woman of a cow-puncher! That Greaser 
won’t do no doubling back or ambushing. He’ll shore 
22 [ 337 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

reckon on being trailed by a bunch an’ not by a locoed, 
prize-winning idiot. Why, he’s making th’ best time 
he can, an’ that’s a-plenty, too. Besides he ain’t got no 
rifle. Lift yore feet, you four-legged sage hen,” he 
cried, spurring his horse into a lope. He mechanically 
jfelt at the long rifle holster at the saddle flap and then 
looked at it quickly. 66 An’ no rifle for me, neither! 
Oh, well, that’s all right, too. I don’t need any better 
gun than he’s got, th’ coyote. Canteen full of water 
an’ saddle flaps stuffed with grub. Why, old cay use, if 
you can do without drinking till we get back to th’ mesa 
we’ll be plumb happy. Wonder when you was watered 
last? ” 

The trail had been swinging to the north more and 
more and when Doc noted this fact he grinned again. 

“ Nice fool I’d ’a been hunting for these tracks down 
towards Eagle, wouldn’t I? But I wonder where he 
reckons he’s going, anyhow ? ” 

Sometime later he had his answer, for he found him- 
self riding towards a water hole and then he knew the 
reason for the trail swinging north. He let his mount 
drink its fill and while he waited he noticed a torn som- 
brero, then a spur, and further away the skeleton of a 
horse. Looking further he saw the skeleton of a man, 
all that the coyotes had left of the body of Dick Archer, 
the man killed by Red on the day when he and Hopalong 
had discovered that Thunder Mesa was inhabited. He 
pushed around the water hole and then caught sight of 
something in the sand. Edging his mount over to it he 
leaned down from the saddle and picked up a Colt’s re- 
[ 338 ] 


Doc Trails 

volver, fully loaded and as good as the day Archer 
died. That air contained no moisture. As he slipped 
it in a saddle bag he spurred forward at top speed, for 
on the other side of a hummock he saw the head and 
then the full figure of a man plodding away from him, 
and it was Antonio. 

The fugitive, hearing hoof -beats, looked back and 
then dropped to one knee, his rifle going to his shoulder 
with the movement. 

44 Where in h — 1 did he get a rifle?” ejaculated 
Doc, forcing his horse to buck- jump and pitch so as to 
be an erratic target. 44 He didn’t have none when / 
grabbed him ! Th’ devil ! That cussed skeleton back 
there gave me a six-shooter, an’ him a rifle ! ” • 

There was a dull smothered report and he saw the 
Mexican drop the gun and rock back and forth, ap- 
parently in agony, and he rode forward at top speed. 
Jerking his horse to its haunches he leaped off it just as 
Antonio wiped the blood from his eyes and jerked 
loose his Remington six-shooter. But his first shot 
missed and before he could fire again Doc grappled with 
him. 

This time it was nearly an even break and Doc found 
that the slim figure of his enemy was made up of mus- 
cles of steel, that the lazy Greaser of the H£ ranch was, 
when necessary, quick as a cat and filled with the cour- 
age of desperation. It required all of Doc’s attention 
and skill to keep himself from being shot by the 
other’s gun and when he finally managed to wrest the 
weapon loose he was forced to drop it quickly and grab 
[ 339 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

the same hand, which by some miracle of speed and dex- 
terity now held a knife, a weapon far more deadly in 
hand-to-hand fighting. Once when believing himself to 
be gone the buckle of his belt stayed the slashing thrust 
and he again fought until the knife was above his head. 
Then, suddenly, two fingers flashed at his eyes and 
missed by so close a margin that Doc’s eyebrows were 
torn open and his eyes blinded with blood. Instinct 
stronger than the effect of the disconcerting blindness 
made him hold his grip on the knife hand, else he would 
have been missing when his foreman looked for him at 
the mesa. He dug the fingers of his left hand, that 
had gripped around the Mexican’s waist, into his ene- 
my’s side and squeezed the writhing man tighter to him, 
wiping the blood from his eyes on the shirt of the other. 
As he did so he felt Antonio’s teeth sink into his shoul- 
der and a sudden great burst of rage swept over him 
and turned a man already desperate into a berserker, a 
mad man. 

The grip tightened and then the brawny, bandaged 
left arm quickly slipped up and around the Mexican’s 
neck, pressing against the back of it with all the power 
of the swelling, knotted muscles. A smothered cry 
sobbed into his chest and he bent the knife hand back 
until the muscles were handicapped by their unnatural 
position and then, suddenly releasing both neck and 
hand, leaped back a step and the next instant his heavy 
boot thudded into the Mexican’s stomach and he watched 
the gasping, ghastly-faced rustler sink down in a nerve- 
[ 340 ] 


Doc Trails 

less heap, fighting desperately for the breath that al- 
most refused to return. 

Doc wiped his eyes free of blood and hastily bound 
his neck-kerchief around the bleeding eyebrows. As he 
knotted the bandage he stepped forward and picked up 
both the revolver and knife and threw them far from 
him. Glancing at the rifle he saw that it had burst and 
knew that the greased, dirty barrel had been choked with 
sand. He remembered how Curley’s rifle had been 
leaded by the same cause and fierce joy surged through 
him at this act of retributive justice. He waited pa- 
tiently, sneering at the groaning Mexican and taunting 
him until the desperate man had gained his feet. 

Doc stepped back a pace, tossing the burst rifle from 
him, and grinned malignantly. “ Take yore own time, 
Greaser. Get all yore wind an’ strength. I ain’t no 
murderer — I don’t ride circles around a man an’ pot- 
shoot him. I’m going to kill you fair, w r ith my hands, 
like I said. Th’ stronger you are th’ better I’ll feel 
when I leave you. An’ if you should leave me out here 
on th’ sand, all right — but it’s got to be fair*” 

When fully recovered Antonio began the struggle by 
leaping forward, thinking his enemy unprepared. Doc 
faced him like a flash and bent low, barely escaping the 
other’s kick. They clinched and swayed to and fro, ^ 
panting, straining, every ounce of strength called into 
play. Then Doc got the throat hold again and took 
a shower of blows unflinchingly. His eyebrows, bleed- 
ing again, blinded him, but he could feel if he could not 
[ 341 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

see. Slowly the resistance weakened and finally Doc 
wrestled Antonio to his knees, bending over the Mexican 
and slowly tightening his grip; and the man who had 
murdered Curley went through all he had felt at the base 
of the mesa wall, at last paying with his life for his 
career of murder, theft, fear, and hypocrisy. 

Doc arose and went to his horse. Leading the animal 
back to the scene of the struggle he stood a while, 
quietly watching the Mexican for any sign of life, al- 
though he knew there would be none. 

“ Well, bronc, Curley’s squared,” he muttered, swing- 
ing into the saddle and turning the animal’s head. 
“ Come on, get out of this ! ” he exclaimed, quirting 
hard. As he passed the water hole he bowed to the 
broken skeleton. “ Much obliged, stranger, whoever 
you was. Yore last play was a good one.” 


[ 342 ] 


CHAPTER XXXIV 


DISCOVERIES 

W HEN the two foremen entered the firing line 
again they saw Red Connors and they cau- 
tiously went towards him. As they came 
within twenty feet of him Buck chanced to glance across 
the cut and what he saw brought a sudden smile to his 
face. 

“ Meeker, Red has got that spring under his gun ! ” he 
exclaimed in a low voice. “ They can’t get within ten 
feet of it or within ten feet of th’ water at any point 
along its course. This is too good to bungle — wait 
for me,” and he ran out of sight around a bend in the 
crevice, Meeker staring across at the spring, his eyes 
following the rivulet until it flowed into the deep, nar- 
row cut it had worn in the side of the mesa. 

Red looked around. “ Why, hullo, Meeker ! 
Where’s Buck? Thought I heard him a minute ago. 
If you have got any water to spare I can use some of it 
good. Some thief drilled my canteen when I went 
fooling along this barranca, an’ I ain’t got a drop left.” 

Meeker began to move closer to him, Red warning him 
to be careful, and adding, “ Three of them fellers ain’t 
[ 343 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

doing nothing but watch this cut. Scared we’ll get 
across it an’ flank ’em, I reckon.” 

“ Do you know that yo’re covering their water sup- 
ply ? ” Meeker asked, handing his canteen to his thirsty 
companion. 66 They can’t get to it as long as you stay 
here. That’s why they’re after you so hard.” 

Red wiped his lips on his sleeve and sighed content- 
edly. “ It’s blamed hot, but it’s wet. But is that right? 
Am I keeping ’em thirsty? Where’s th’ water? ” 

“ Shore you are ; it’s right over there — see that little 
ditch ? ” Meeker replied, pointing. 

Bing! Spat! 

The H 2 foreman dropped his arm and grinned. 
“ They’re watching us purty close, ain’t they? Didn’t 
miss me far, at that,” showing his companion a torn 
sleeve and a lead splotch on the rock behind him. 

“ Not a whole lot. Two of them fellers can shoot like 
blazes. Yo’re plumb lucky,” Red responded. “ If 
you’d showed more’n yore sleeve that time they’d ’a hit 
you.” He looked across the cut and puckered his brow. 
“ Well, if that’s where their water is they don’t get 
none. Mebby we can force ’em out if we watches that 
spring right smart.” 

“ Here comes Buck now, with Skinny.” 

“ It’s too good a card to lose, Skinny,” the Bar-20 
foreman was saying as he approached. “ You settle 
some place near here where you can pot anybody that 
tries for a drink. Mebby this little trick wins th’ game 
for us — quien sabef Hullo, Red; where’s yore side 
pardner? ” 


£ 344 ] 


Discoveries 

c< Oh, he went prospecting along this barranca to see 
if he could get across,” Red replied. 44 He wants to 
get up on top of that ridge behind th’ shack. Says if 
he can do it th’ fight won’t last long. See how it over- 
looks their layout?” 

Buck looked and his eyes glistened. 44 An’ he’s right, 
too, like he is generally. That’s th’ key, an’ it lies 
between them an’ th’ spring. Beats all how quick 
that feller can size up a hand. If he could play 
poker as well as he can fight he could quit working for 
a living.” 

44 Yes; yo’re shore right,” Red replied. 

Several shots rang out from the breastwork and the 
bullets hummed past them down the cut. A burst of 
derisive laughter replied fifty yards to their right and a 
taunt followed it. More shots were fired and answered 
by another laugh and taunt, inducing profanity from 
the marksman, and then Hopalong called to Red. 44 Six 
out of seven went plumb through my sombrero, Red, 
when I poked it out to find if they was looking. They 
was. Purty good for ’em, eh? ” 

44 Too blamed good to suit me — lucky yore head 
wasn’t in it,” Red replied. 

Hopalong, singing in stentorian voice an original 
version of 44 Mary and Her Little Lamb ” in which it 
seemed he aspired to be the lamb, finally came into view 
with a perforated sombrero in his hand, wdiich he eyed 
ruefully. 44 A good roof gone up, but I didn’t reckon 
everybody was looking my way,” he grumbled. 
44 Somebody shore has got to pay for that lid, too,” 
[ 345 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

then he glanced up, saw Meeker, and looked foolish. 
44 Howd’y , Meeker ; what’s new, Buck ? ” 

44 Hey, Iloppy ! Did you know I was covering their 
drinking water? ” asked Red, triumphantly. 

44 1 knowed jmu was covering some of it, but you 
needn’t take on no airs about it, for you didn’t know 
it,” Hopalong retorted. 44 What I want to know is why 
you wasn’t covering me> like you said you would ! ” he 
cried, eying Red’s sombrero, which lay at his feet. 
44 It’s all 3mre fault that my Stetson’s bust wide open, 
an’ that being so, we’ll just swap, right now, too!” 
suiting the action to the words. 

44 Hey ! Gimme that war-bonnet, you bunch of gall ! ” 
yelled Red kicking at his tormentor and missing. 
44 Gimme that, d’y hear ! ” 

44 Give you a punch in th’ eye, you sheep ! ” re- 
torted Hopalong, backing away. 44 Think you can get 
away with a play like that after saying you was going 
to cover me? I ain’t no papoose, you animated car- 
rot!” 

44 Gimme that Stetson ! ” Red commanded, starting to 
arise. There was a sharp hum and he dropped back 
again, blood flowing from his cheek, that being the 
extent of his person he had so inadvertently exposed. 
44 There, blank you ! See what you made me do ! 
Going to drop that hat? ” 

44 Why don’t you give ’em a good shot at you? That 
ain’t no way to treat ’em — but honest, Red, you 
shouldn’t get so excited over a little thing like that,” 
[ 346 ] 


Discoveries 






Hopalong replied. 44 Now, I’ll leave it to Meeker, here 
— hadn’t I ought to take his roof? ” 

Meeker laughed. 44 Th’ Court reserves its decision, 
but possession is nine points in law.” 

44 Huh ! Possession is everything. Since I can keep 
it, why, then, according to th’ Court, th’ hat belongs to 
me. Hear that, Red?” 

44 Yes, I hear it! An’ if I wasn’t so cussed busy I’d 
show you how long you’d keep it,” Red rejoined. 44 I’ll 
bet you a hat you don’t keep it a day after we get 
this ofPn our hands. Bow-legged Algernon, you ! ” 

44 Done — then I’ll have two hats ; one for work an’ 
one to wear when I’m visiting,” Hopalong laughed. 
44 But you’ve got th’ best of th’ swap, anyhow. That 
new lid of youm, holes an’ all, is worth twice as much 
as this w r ool thing I’m getting for it. My old one is 
a hat! ” 

Red refused to lower his dignity by replying and 
soon fired. 44 Huh ! Reckon that feller won’t shoot no 
more with his right hand.” 

44 Say, I near forgot to tell you Meeker captured one 
of them fellers out back; got him tied up now,” Buck 
remarked, relating the incident, Meeker interrupting to 
)give the Bar-20 foreman all the credit. 

44 Good ! ” exclaimed Red. 44 It’s a rope necktie for 
him. An’ one less to shoot at me.” 

44 An’ you here, Buck ! ” cried Hopalong in surprise. 
44 Come on, lead th’ way ! How do you know he was 
th’ only one to get behind us ! Good Lord ! ” 

[ 347 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

44 Gosh, yo’re right ! ” Buck exclaimed, running off. 
44 Come on, Jim. We’re a pair of fools, after all! ” 

At the other end of the line Chick Travers and 
\ George Cross did as well as they could with their Colts, 
but found their efforts unavailing. Their positions 
were marked by the rustlers and they had several nar-| 
row escapes, both being wounded, Cross twice. Ten 
yards west of them Frenchy McAllister was crawling 
forward a foot at a time from cover to cover and so 
far he had not been hit. His position also had been 
marked and he was now trying to find a new one un- 
observed, where he could have a chance to shoot once 
without instantly being fired upon. Pete and Johnny 
had separated, the latter having given up his attempt 
to make the rustler pay for his wounded ear. He had 
emptied the magazine of the rifle he had found and now 
only used his Colt. As he worked along the firing line 
he saw Frenchy ten yards in front of him, covered 
nicely by a steep rise in the ground. 

44 How are you doing out there, Frenchy ? 99 he asked 
in a low voice. 

“ Not very good; wish I had my rifle,” came the soft- 
spoken reply. 

44 1 had one that I found, but I used up all th’ cart- 
ridges there was in th’ magazine.” 

“ What kind an’ caliber? ” 

44 .45-70 Winchester. I found it by th’ ropes. 
Pete says he reckoned some rustler must have left it 
behind an’ got away down th’ — ” 

44 Get it for me, Kid, will you? ” interrupted 
[ 348 1 


Discoveries 

French y, eagerly. “ I plumb forgot to leave my belt 
of rifle cartridges back in th’ camp. Got it on now, 
an’ it’s chock full, too. Hurry up, an’ I’ll work back 
to you for it.” 

“ What luck ! In a second,” Johnny exulted, dis- 
appearing. Returning with the rifle he handed it to 
his friend and gazed longingly at the beltful of rifle 
cartridges. “ Sa} 7 , Frenchy,” he began. “ You know 
we’ll all have our rifles to-night, an’ you’ve got more 
cartridges for that than you can use before then. It 
won’t be more than three hours before we send for ours. 
Suppose you gimme some of them for Pete — he’s got 
th’ mate to that gun, an’ can’t use it no more because 
it’s empty.” 

“ Shore, Kid,” and Frenchy slipped a handful of 
cartridges out of his belt and gave them to Johnny. 
“ With my compliments to Pete. What was that you 
was saying about rustlers an’ th’ ropes ? ” 

Johnny told of Pete’s deductions regarding the 
finding of the rifles and Frenchy agreed with them, and 
also that Doc had taken care of the owners of the 
weapons when they had reached the plain. 

“ Well, I’m going further away from them thieves 
now that I’ve got something to shoot with,” Frenchy 
asserted. 66 They won’t be looking for any of us a 
hundred yards or more farther back. Mebbe I can 
catch some of ’em unawares.” 

“ I’ll chase off an’ give Pete these pills,” Johnny 
replied. “ He’ll be tickled plumb to death. He was 
cussing bad when I left him.” 

[ 349 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

George Cross, crawling along a steep, smooth rock! 
barely under the shelter of a bowlder, endeavored to 
grasp the top, but under-reached and slipped, rolling 
down to the bottom and in plain sight of the rustlers. 
As his companion, Chick Travers, tried to help him 
two shots rang out and Cross, sitting up with his hands 
to his head, toppled back to arise no more. Chick 
leaped up and fired twice at one of the marksmen, and 
missed. His actions had been so sudden and unexpected 
that he escaped the return shot which passed over him 
by a foot as he dropped back to cover. Somehow the 
whoU line seemed to feel that there had been a death 
among them, as evidenced by the burst of firing along 
it. And the whole line felt another thing; that the 
cartridges of the rustlers were getting low, for they 
seemed to be saving their shots. But it w r as Hopalong 
who found the cause of the diminishing fire. After 
hunting fruitlessly with the two foremen and finding 
that Hall was the only man to get back of the firing 
line he left his two companions in order to learn the con- 
dition of his friends. As he made his way along the 
line he chanced to look towards the hut and saw 
four rifles on the floor of it, and back of them, piled 
against the wall, was the rustlers’ main supply of am- 
munition. Calling out, he was answered by Pete, who 
soon joined him. 

“ Pete, you lucky devil, turn that rifle through th’ 
door of th’ shack an’ keep it on them cartridges,” he 
ordered. “ They ain’t been shooting as fast as they 
[350 ] 


Discoveries 

:was at first, an’ there’s th’ reason for it. Oh, just wait 
till daylight to-morrow ! They won’t last long after 
that ! ” 

“ They won’t get them cartridges, anyhow,” Pete re- 
plied with conviction. 

“ Hey, fellers,” cried a voice, and they looked around 
to see Chick Travers coming towards them. 44 Yore 
man Cross has passed. He rolled off his ledge an’ 
couldn’t stop. They got him when he hit th’ bottom 
of it.” 

“ D — n ’em ! ” growled Hopalong. 44 We’ll square 
our accounts to-morrow morning. Pete, you watch them 
cartridges.” 

44 Shore — ” Bang! 44 Did you see that?” Pete 
asked, frantically pumping the lever of his rifle. 

44 Yes!” cried Chick. 44 Some feller tried to get in 
that south window! Bet he won’t try again after that 
hint. Hear him cuss? There — Red must ’a fired then, 
too ! ” 

44 Good boy, Pete! — keep ’em out. We’ll have 
somebody in there after dark,” Hopalong responded. 
44 They’ve got th’ best covers now, but we’ll turn th’ 
table on ’em when th’ sun comes up to-morrow.” 

44 Here comes Buck an’ Meeker,” remarked Chick. 
44 Them two are getting a whole lot chummy lately, all 
right. They’re alius together.” 

44 That’s good, too. They’re both of ’em all right,” 
Hopalong replied, running to meet them. Chick saw 
the three engage in a consultation and look towards the 
[ 351 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

hut and the ridge behind it, Buck and Meeker nodding 
slowly at what Hopalong was saying. Then they 
moved off towards the west where they could examine 
the building at closer range. 


[ 552 ] 


CHAPTER XXXV 


JOHNNY TAKES THE HUT 

A S the day waned the dropping shots became 
less and less frequent and the increasing 
darkness began to work its magic. The un- 
sightly plain with its crevices and bowlders and scrawny 
vegetation would soon be changed into one smooth blot, 
to be lighted with the lurid flashes of rifles as Red and 
Pete fired at irregular intervals through the south win- 
dows of the hut to keep back any rustler who tried to 
get the ammunition within its walls. Two were trying 
and had approached the window just as a bullet hummed 
through it. They stopped and looked at each other 
and moved forward again. Then a bullet from Pete’s 
rifle, entering through the open door, hummed out the 
window and struck against the rocky ridge. 

“ Say ! Them coyotes can see us through that 
windy,” remarked Clausen. “ Th’ sky at our backs is 
too light yet.” 

66 They can’t see us standing here,” objected Shaw. 

“ Then what are they shooting at? ” 

66 Cuss me if I know. Looks like they was using th’ 

n [ 353 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

winder for a target. Reckon we better wait till it gets 
darker.” 

44 If we wait till it’s dark we can sneak in through 
th’ door,” suggested Clausen. 44 If we go in crawling 
we ain’t likely to stop no shot high enough to go 
through that windy.” 

44 You can if you wants, but I ain’t taking no chances 
like that, none whatever.” 

Another shot whined through the window and stopped 
with an angry spat against the ridge. Shaw scratched 
his head reflectively. 44 It shore beats me why they 
keeps that up. There ain’t no sense to it,” he de- 
clared in aggrieved tones. 44 They don’t know nothing 
about them cartridges in there.” 

44 That’s it ! ” exclaimed Clausen, excitedly. 44 1 bet 
a stack of blues they do know. An’ they’re covering 
somebody going in to steal ’em. Oh, h — 1 ! ” and he 
slammed his hat to the ground in bitter anger. 44 An’ 
us a-standing here like a couple of mired cows! I’m 
going to risk it.” 

44 Wait,” advised Shaw. 44 Let’s try a hat an’ see 
if they plug at it.” 

44 Wait be d — d! My feet are growing roots right 
now. I’m going in,” and Clausen broke away from his 
friend and ran towards the hut, a crouching run, comical 
to look at but effective because it kept his head below the 
level of' the window ; without pausing in his stride his 
body lengthened into a supple curve as he plunged head 
foremost through the window, landing on the cabin 
floor with hands and feet bunched under him, his pass- 
[ 354 ] 


johnny Takes the Hut 

ing seen only as a fleeting, puzzling shadow, by the 
watchful eyes outside. 

Across the cut Johnny was giving Red instructions 
and turned to leave. 44 Th’ cut is full of shadows an* 
th’ moon ain’t up yet. Now, remember, one more shot 
through that window — I’m going to f oiler it right in. 
Get word to Pete as soon as you can, though I won’t 
pass th’ door. He’s only got three cartridges left an’ 
he’ll be getting some anxious about now. So long.’* 

44 So long, an’ good luck, Kid,” Red replied. 

Johnny wriggled across the cut on his stomach, pick- 
ing out the shadows and gaining the shelter of the op- 
posite bank, stood up, and ran to the hut. Red fired and 
then Johnny cautiously climbed through the window 
and dropped to the floor. 

Pie had anticipated Clausen by the fraction of a 
second. As his feet touched the floor the noise of 
Clausen’s arrival saluted him and the startled Johnny 
jerked his gun loose and sent a shot in the other’s 
direction, leaping aside on the instant. The flash of 
the discharge was gone too quickly for him to dis- 
tinguish anything and the scrambling sound that fol- 
lowed mystified him further. That there had been no 
return shot did not cause him to dance with joy, far 
otherwise; it made him drop silently to his stomach and 
hunt the darkest part of the hut, the w T est wall. He 
lay still for a minute, eyes and ears strained for a 
sound to tell him where to shoot. Then Red called to 
him and wanted an answer, whereupon Johnny thought 
of things he ached to call Red. Then he heard a low 
[ 355 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

voice outside the south window, and it called : 44 Clausen, 
Clausen — what happened ? Why don’t you answer ? ” 
44 Oh, so my guest is Clausen, hey ? ” J ohnny 
thought. 44 Wonder if Clausen can see in th’ dark? 
’N other d — d fool wanting an answer! I’ll bet 
Clausen is hugging th’ dark spots, too. Wonder if I 
scared him as much as he scared me? ” 

The suspense was becoming too much of a strain and, 
poking his Colt out in front of him, he began to move 
forward, his eyes staring ahead of him at the place 
■where Clausen ought to be. 

Inch by inch he advanced, holding his breath as well 
as he could, every moment expecting to have Clausen 
salute him in the face with a hot .45. Johnny was 
scared, and well scared, but it only proves courage to 
go on when scared stiff, and Johnny went on and along 
the wall he thought Clausen was using for a high- 
way. 

44 Wonder how it feels to have yore brains blowed 
out,” he shivered. 44 For God’s sake, Clausen, make a 
noise — sneeze, cough, choke, yell, anything ! ” he 
prayed, but Clausen remained ominously silent. 
Johnny pushed his Colt out farther and poked it all 
around. Touching the wall it made a slight scraping 
sound and Johnny’s blood froze. Still no move from 
Clausen, and his fright went down a notch — Clausen 
was evidently even more scared than he was. That was 
consoling. Perhaps he was so scared that he couldn’t 
pull a trigger, which would be far more consoling. 

[ 856 ] 


Johnny Takes the Hut 

“Johnny! Johnny! Answer, can’t you!” came 
Red’s stentorian voice, causing Johnny to jump a few 
inches off the floor. 

“ Clausen ! Clausen ! ” came another voice. 

“ F or God’s sake, answer, Clausen ! Tell ’em yo’re 
here!” prayed Johnny. “Yo’re d — d unpolite, any- 
how.” 

By this time he was opposite the door and he won- 
dered if Pete had been told not to bombard it. He 
stopped and looked, and stared. What was that thing 
on the floor? Or was it anything at all? He blinked 
and moved closer. It looked like a head, but Johnny 
was taking no chances. He stared steadily into the 
blackest part of the hut for a moment and then looked 
again at the object. He could see it a little plainer 
now, for it was not quite as dark outside as it was in 
the building; but he was not sure about it. 

“Can’t fool me, you coyote,” he thought. “Yo’re 
hugging this wall as tight as a tick on a cow, a blamed 
sight tighter than I am, an’ in about a minute I’m 
going to shoot along it about four inches from th’ 
floor. I’d just as soon get shot as be scared to death, 
anyhow. Mebby we’ve passed each other ! An’ Holy 
Medicine ! Mebby there’s two of ’em ! ” 

He regarded the object again. “That shore looks 
like a head, all right.” He felt a pebble under his 
hand and drawing back a little he covered the question- 
able object and then tossed the pebble at it. “ Huh, if 
it’s a head, why in thunder didn’t it move? ” 

[357 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

There were footsteps outside the south window and 
he listened, the Colt ready to stop any one rash enough 
to look in, Clausen or no Clausen. 

“ Where’s Clausen, Shaw?” said a voice, and the 
reply was so low Johnny could not make it out. 

“Yes; that’s just what I want to know,” and 
Johnny stared in frowning intentness at the supposed 
head. He moved closer to the object and by dint of 
staring thought he saw the head and shoulders of a 
man face down in a black, shallow pool. Then his 
hand became wet and he jerked it back and wiped it on 
his sleeve; he could hardly believe his senses. As he 
grasped the significance of his discovery he grinned 
sheepishly and moved back to the north wall, where no 
rustler’s bullet could find him. “ Lord ! An’ I got him 
th’ first crack ! Got him shooting by ear ! ” 

“Johnny! Johnny!” came Red’s roar, anxious and 
querulous. 

J ohnny wheeled and shook his Colt out of the window, 
for the moment forgetting the peril of losing sight of 
the opening in the other wall. “ I’ll Johnny you , you 
blankety-blank fool!” he shouted. Then he heard a 
curse at the south window and turned quickly, his Colt 
covering the opening. “ An’ I’ll Johnny you too, you 
cow-stealing coyotes ! Stick yore thieving heads in 
that windy an’ holler for yore Clausen! 1 can show 
you where he is, an’ send you after him if you’ll just 
take a look! Want them cartridges, hey? Well, come 
an’ get ’em ! ” 

A bullet, fired at an angle through the window, was 
[ 358 ] 


Johnny Takes the Hut 

the reply and several hummed through the open door 
. and glanced off the steep sides of the ridge. Waiting 
until they stopped coming he dropped and wriggled 
forward along the west wall, feeling in front of him 
until he touched a box. Grasping it he dragged the 
important cartridges to him and then backed to the 
north window with them. 

He fell to stuffing his pockets with the captured am- 
munition and then stopped short and grinned happily. 
“ Might as well hold this shack an 5 wait for somebody 
to look in that windy. They can’t get me.” 

He dropped the box and walked to the heavy plank 
door, slamming it shut. He heard the thud of bullets 
in it as he propped it, and laughed. 66 Can’t shoot 
through them planks, they’re double thick.” He 
smelled his sticky fingers. “ An’ they’re full of resin, 
besides.” 

He stopped suddenly and frowned as a fear entered 
his mind; and then smiled, reassured. “Nope; no 
rustling snake can climb up that ridge — not with Red 
an’ Pete watching it.” 


[ 359 ] 


CHAPTER XXXVI 


THE LAST NIGHT 

F IFTY yards behind the firing line of the be- 
siegers a small fire burned brightly in a steep- 
walled basin, casting grotesque shadows on 
the rock walls as men passed and re-passed. Over- 
head a silvery moon looked down at the cheerful blaze 
and from the cracks and crevices of the plain came the 
tuneful chorus of Nature’s tiny musicians, sounding 
startlingly out of place where men were killing and 
dying. A little aside from the others three men in con- 
sultation reached a mutual understanding and turned 
to face their waiting friends just as Pete Wilson ran 
into the lighted circle. 

“ Hey, Johnny is in th’ hut with th’ cartridges,” he 
exclaimed, telling the story in a few words. 

“ Good for th’ Kid!” 

“ It’s easy now, thanks to him.” 

“ Why didn’t he tell us he was going to try that? ” 
demanded Buck. “ Taking a chance like that on his 
own hook ! ” 

“ Scared you wouldn’t let him,” Pete laughed. 
66 Red an’ me backed him up with our rifles th’ best we 
[ 360 ] 


The Last Night 

could. He had a fight in there, too, judging from th’ 
shot. He had me an’ Red worried, thinking he might 
’a been hit, but he was cussing Red when I left.” 

“ Well, that helps us a lot,” Buck replied. " Now I 
want three of you to go to camp an’ bring back grub, 
rifles, an’ cartridges. Pete, Skinny, Chick — yo’re th’ 
ones. Leave yore canteens here an’ hustle! Hopalong, 
you an’ Meeker go off somewhere an’ get some sleep. 
I’ll call you before it gets light. Frenchy, me an’ you 
will take all th’ canteens at hand an’ fill ’em while we’ve 
got time. They won’t be able to see us now. We’ll 
pass Red an’ get his, too. Come on.” 

When they returned they dropped the dripping ves- 
sels and began cleaning their Colts. That done they 
filled their pipes and sat cross-legged, staring into the 
fire. A snatch of Johnny’s exultant song floated to 
them and Buck smiled, laying his pipe aside and ris- 
ing. “ Well, Frenchy, things’ll happen in chunks when 
th’ sun comes up. Something like old times, eh ? 
There ain’t no Deacon Rankin or Slippery Trendley 
here — ” he stopped, having mentioned a name he had 
promised himself never to say in Frenchy’s presence, and 
then continued in a subdued voice, bitterly scourging 
himself for his blunder. “ They’re stronger than I 
thought, an’ they’ve shot us up purty well, ' ^d Willis 
an’ Cross, an’ made fools of us for weeks on th’ range; 
but this is th’ end of it all. We deal to-morrow, an’ we 
cut th’ cards to-night.” 

Frenchy was strangely silent, staring fixedly at the 
fire. Buck glanced at him in strong sympathy, for 
[ 361 ] 


Hopalong- Cassidy 

he knew what his slip of the tongue had awakened in 
his friend’s heart. Frenchy had adored his young wife 
and since the day he had found her foully murdered 
in his cabin on the Double Y he had been another man. 
When the moment of his vengeance had come, when he 
had her murderer in his power and saw his friends ride 
away to leave him alone with Trendley that day over in 
the Panhandle, to exact w T hat payment he wished, then 
he had become his old self for a -while, but it was not 
long before he again sank into his habitual careless- 
ness, waiting patiently for death to remove his burden 
and make him free. His vengeance did not bring him 
back his wife. 

Buck shook his head slowly and affectionately placed 
a heavy hand on his friend’s shoulder. 66 Frenchy, 
won’t you ever forget it? It hurts me to see you this 
way so much. It’s over twenty years now an’ day after 
day I’ve grieved to see you so unhappy. You paid 
him for it in yore own way. Can’t you forget it 
now? ” 

“ Yes ; I killed him, an’ slow. He never thought a 
man could make th’ payment so hard, not even his 
black heart could realize it till he felt it,” Frenchy re- 
plied, slowly and calmly. “ He took th’ heart out of 
me; he killed my wife and made my life a living hell. 
All I had worth living for went that day, an’ if I 
could kill him over again every day for a year it 
wouldn’t square- th’ score. I reckon I ain’t built like 
other men. You never heard me whimper. I kept my 
poison to myself an’ tried to do the best that was in 
[ 862 ] 


The Last Night 

«ne. An 5 you ain’t never heard me say what I’m going 
to tell you now. I never believed in hunches, but 
something tells me that I’ll leave all this behind me 
before another day passes. I felt it somehow when we 
left th’ ranch an’ it’s been growing stronger every hour 
since. If I do pass out to-morrow, I want you to be 
glad of it, same as I would be if I could know. I’m 
going back to th’ line now an’ watch them fellers. 
So long.” 

The two men, bosom friends for thirty years, looked 
in each other’s eyes as they grasped hands, and it was 
Buck’s eyes that grew moist and dropped first. 44 So 
long, Frenchy — an’ good luck, as you see it.” 

The foreman w*atched his friend until lost in the 
darkness and he thought he heard him singing, but of 
this he was not sure. He turned and stared at the fire 
for a minute, silent, immovable, and then breathed 
heavily. 

64 1 never saw anybody carry a grief so long, never,” 
he soliloquized. 44 1 reckon it sort of turned his brain, 
coming so sudden an’ in such a damnable way. I 
know it made me see red for a week. If I had only 
staj r ed there that day! When he got Trendley in th’ 
Panhandle I hoped he would change, an’ he did for a 
while, but that w r as all. He lived for that alone, an’ 
since then I reckon he’s felt he hadn’t nothing to do 
with his life. He has been mixed up in a bunch of gun- 
arguments since then; but he didn’t have no luck. 
Well, Frenchy, I hate to lose a friend like you, but 
here’s better luck to-morrow, luck as you see it, friend! ” 
[363 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

He kicked the fire together and was about to add 
fuel when he heard two quick shots and raised his 
head to listen. Then a ringing whoop came from the 
front and he recognized Johnny’s voice. He heard Red 
call out and Johnny reply and he smiled grimly as he 
went towards the sounds. “ Reckon somebody tried to 
get in that shack, like a fool. He must ’a been dis- 
gusted. How that Kid shore does love a fight ! ” 

Joyous Joe got a juniper jag, 

A-j egging out of Jay town, 

came down the wind. 

“ Rid you get him, Kid? ” cried Buck from the firing 
line. 

“Nope; got his hat, though — but I shore got 
Clausen an’ all of their cartridges ! ” 

“ Can you keep them shells alone? ” 

“ Can I? Wow, ask th’ other fellers! An’ I’m eat- 
ing jerked beef — sorry I can’t give you some.” 

“ Shut up about eating, you pig ! ” blazed Red, who 
was hungry. 

“You’ll eat hot lead to-morrow, all of you!” jeered 
a rustler’s voice. 

Red fired at the sound. “ Take youm now ! ” he 
shouted. 

“ You can’t hit a cow ! ” came the taunt, while other 
strange voices joined in. 

Buck found Red and ordered him to camp to get 
some sleep before Pete and the others returned, feeling 
that he and Frenchy were enough to watch. Red de- 
[S64] 


The Last Night 

murred sleepily and finally compromised by lying down 
at Buck’s side, where he would be handy in case of 
trouble. Buck waited patiently, too heavily laden with 
responsibility to feel the need of rest, and when he 
judged that three hours had passed began to worry 
about the men he had sent to camp. Drawing back 
into a crevice he struck a match and looked at his 
watch. 

46 Twelve o’clock! ” he muttered. 44 I’ll wake Red an’ 
see how Frenchy is getting on. Time them fellers were 
back too.” 

Frenchy changed his position uneasily and peered at 
the distant breastwork, hearing the low murmur of 
voices behind it. All night he had heard their curses, 
but a new note made him sit up and watch more closely. 
The moon was coming up now and he could see better. 
Suddenly he caught the soft flash of a silver sombrero 
buckle and fired instantly. Curses and a few shots re- 
plied and a new, querulous voice was added to the mur- 
mur, a voice expressing pain. 

44 1 reckon you got him,” remarked a quiet voice at 
his side as Buck lay down beside him. The foreman had 
lost some time in wandering along the whole line of 
defence and was later than he had expected. 

44 Yes; I reckon so,” Frenchy replied without interest, 
and they lapsed into silence, the eloquent silence of men 
who understand each other. They heard a shot from 
below and knew that Billy or Curtis was about and 
smiled grimly at the rising murmur it caused among the 
rustlers. Buck glanced at the sky and frowned. 
[ 365 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ There can’t be more’n five or six left by now, an’ if 
it wasn’t for th’ moon I’d get th’ boys together an’ 
rush that bunch.” He was silent for a moment and then 
added, half to himself, 44 but it won’t be long now, 
an’ we can wait.” 

Distant voices heralded the return of Pete and his 
companions and the foreman arose. 44 Frenchy, I’m 
going to place th’ boys an’ start things right away. 
We’ve been quiet too long.” 

44 Might as well,” Frenchy replied, 44 I’m getting 
sleepy — straining my eyes too much, I reckon, trying 
to see a little better than I can.” 

46 Here’s th’ stuff, Buck,” Skinny remarked as the 
foreman entered the circle of light. 44 Two days’ 
fighting rations, fifty rounds for th’ rifles an’ fifty for 
th’ Colts. Chick is coming back there with th’ rifles.” 

44 Good. Had yore grub yet?” Buck asked. 44 All 
right — didn’t reckon you’d wait for it. What kept 
you so long? You’ve been gone over three hours.” 

44 We was talking to Billy an’ Curtis,” Skinny re- 
marked. 44 They’re anxious to have it over. They’ve 
been spelling each other an’ getting some sleep. We 
saw Doc’s saddle piled on top of th’ grub when we got 
to camp. It wasn’t there when we all left th’ other 
night. Billy says Doc came running past last night, 
saddled up an’ rode off. He got back this afternoon 
wearing a bandage around his head. He didn’t say 
where he had been, but now he is at th’ bottom of th’ 
trail waiting for a shot, so Billy says. Pete reckons 
[ 366 ] 


The Last Night 

he went after somebody that got down last night, one 
of them fellers that left their rifles up here by th’ 
ropes.” 

“ Mebby yo’re right,” replied Buck, hurriedly. 
“ Get ready to fight. I ain’t going to wait for day- 
light when this moonlight will answer. Pete, Skinny, 
Chick — you get settled out on th’ east end, where me 
an’ Frenchy will join you. We’ll have this game over 
before long.” 

He strode away and returned with Hopalong and 
Meeker, who hastily ate and drank and, filling their 
belts with cartridges and taking their own rifles from 
the pile Chick had brought, departed toward the cut 
with orders for Red to come in. 

Pete and his companions moved away as Frenchy, 
shortly followed by Red, came in and reported. 

44 Eat an’ drink, lively. Red, you get back to yore 
place an’ take care of th’ cut,” Buck ordered. 
44 Frenchy, you come out east with th’ rest. There’s 
cartridges for you both an’ there’s yore own rifle, 
Frenchy.” 

44 Glad yo’re going to start things,” chewed Red 
through a mouthful of food. 44 It’s about time we 
show them fellers we can live up to our reputations. 
Any of ’em coming my way won’t go far.” 

Frenchy filled his pipe and lighted it from a stick 
he took out of the fire and as it began to draw well 
he stepped quickly forward and held out his hand. 
44 Good luck, Red. They can’t fight long.” 

[ 367 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ Same to you, Frenchy,” Red cried, grasping the 
hand. “ Yo’re right, there. You look plumb wide 
awake, like Buck — how’d you do it ? ” 

Frenchy laughed and strode after his foreman, Red 
watching him. “ He’s acting funny — reckon it’s th’ 
sleep he’s missed. Well, here goes,” and he, too, went 
off to the firing line. 

— An’ aching thoughts pour in on me. 

Of Whiskey Bill, 

came Johnny’s song from the hut — and the fight began 
again, 


IS6SJ 


CHAPTER XXXVII 


THEIR LAST EIGHT 

A FIGURE suddenly appeared on the top of the 
flanking ridge, outlined against the sky, and 
flashes of flame spurted from its hands, while 
kneeling beside it was another, rapidly working a rifle, 
the roar of the guns deafening because of the silence 
which preceded it. Shouts, curses, and a few random, 
futile shots replied from the breastworks, its defenders, 
panic-stricken by the surprise and the deadly accuracy 
of the two marksmen, scurrying around the bend in 
their fortifications, so busy in seeking shelter that they 
failed to make their shots tell. Two men, riddled by 
bullets, lay where they had fallen and the remaining 
three, each of them wounded more than once, crouched 
under cover and turned their weapons against the new 
factors; but these had already slid down the face of the 
ridge and were crawling along the breastwork, alert 
and cautious. 

In front of the rustlers heavy firing burst out along 
the cownjen’s line and Red Connors, from his old posi- 
tion above the cut, swung part way around and turned 
his rifle against the remnant of the defenders at another 

24 [ 369 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

angle, and fired at every mark, whether it was hand, foot, 
or head; while Johnny, tumbling out of the south win- 
dow of the hut, followed in the wake of Hopalong and 
Meeker. The east end of the line was wrapped in 
smoke, where Buck and his companions labored zeal- 
ously. 

Along the narrow trail up the mesa’s face a man 
toiled heavily and it was not long before Doc Riley 
opened fire from the rear. The three rustlers, besieged 
from all sides, found their positions to be most desper- 
ate and knew then that only a few minutes intervened 
between them and eternity. They had three choices — 
to surrender, to die fighting, or to leap from the mesa 
to instant death below. 

Shaw, to his credit, chose the second and like a cor- 
nered wolf goaded to despair leaped up and forward tc 
take a gambler’s chance of gaining the hut. Before 
him were Hopalong, Meeker, Johnny, and Doc. Doc 
was hastily reloading his Colt, Johnny was temporarily 
out of sight as he crawled around a bowlder, and Hopa- 
long was greatly worried by ricochettes and wild shots 
from the rifles of his friends which threatened to end his 
career. Meeker alone was watching at that moment 
but his attention was held by the rustler near the edge 
of the mesa who was trying to shrink himself to fit the 
small rock in front of him and to use his gun at the 
same time. 

Shaw sprang from his cover and straight at the H2 
foreman, his foot slipping slightly as he fired. The 
bullet grazed Meeker’s waist, but the second, fired as 
[ 370 ] 


Their Last Fight 

the rustler was recovering his balance, bored through 
Meeker’s shoulder. The H2 foreman, bending forward 
for a shot at the man behind the small rock, was caught 
unawares and his balance, already strained, was de- 
stroyed by the shock of the second bullet, and he flopped 
down to all fours. Shaw sprang over him just as Hop- 
along and Johnny caught sight of him and he swung 
his revolver on Hopalong at the moment when the lat- 
ter’s bullet crashed through his brain. 

Buck Peters, trying for a better position, slipped on 
the rock which had been the cause of the death of 
George Cross and before he could gain his feet a figure 
leaped down in front of him and raised a Colt in his 
defence, but spun half way around and fell, shot through 
the head. A cry of rage went up at this and a rush 
was made against the breastworks from front and side. 
Frenchy McAllister’s forebodings had come true. 

Sanchez, finding his revolver empty and with no time 
to reload, held up his hands. Frisco, blinded by blood, 
wounded in half a dozen places, desperate, snarling, and 
still unbeaten, wdieeled viciously, but before he could pull 
his trigger, Hopalong grasped him and hurled him 
down, Johnny going with them. Doc, a second too late, 
waved his sombrero. “ Come on, it’s all over ! ” 

In another second the rushing punchers from the 
front slid and rolled and plunged over the breastwork 
and eyed the results of their fire. 

Meeker staggered around the corner and leaned 
against Buck for support. “ My G — d ! This is aw- 
ful ! I didn’t think we were doing so much damage.” 
[ 371 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ I did ! ” retorted Buck. “ I know what happens 
when mj outfit burns powder. Where’s Red? ” he asked 
anxiously. 

“ Here I am,” replied a voice behind him. 

“ All right ; take that Greaser to th’ hut, somebody,” 
the foreman ordered. “ Johnny, you an’ Pete take this 
feller there, too,” pointing to Frisco. “ He’s th’ one 
that killed Frenchy. Hopalong, take Red, an’ bring in 
that feller me an’ Meeker tied up in that crevice, if he 
ain’t got away.” 

Hopalong and Red went off to bring in Hall and 
Buck turned to the others. “ You fellers doctor yore 
wounds. Meeker, yo’re hard hit,” he remarked, more 
closely looking at the H2 foreman. 

“ Yes. I know it — loss of blood, mostly,” Meeker 
replied. 66 An’ if it hadn’t been for Cassidy I’d been 
hit a d — d sight harder. Where’s Doc? He knows 
what to do — Doc ! ” 

66 Coming,” replied a voice and Doc turned the corner. 
He had a limited knowledge of the work he was called 
upon to do, and practice, though infrequent, had kept 
it more or less fresh. 

“ Reckon yo’re named about right, Doc,” Buck re- 
marked as he passed the busy man. “ You got me beat 
an’ I ain’t no slouch.” 

“ I’d ’a been a real Doc if I hadn’t left college like a 
fool to punch cows, — you’ve got to keep still, Jim,” he 
chided. 

“ Hey, Buck,” remarked Hopalong, joining the crowd 
and grinning at the injured, “ we’ve got that feller in 
[ 372 ] 


Their Last Fight 

th’ shack. When th’ feller I grabbed out here saw him 
he called him Hall. Th’ other is Frisco an’ th’ Greaser 
ain’t got no name, I reckon. How you feeling, Meeker? 
That was Shaw plugged you.” 

44 Feeling better’n him,” Meeker growled. 44 Yo’re 
a good man to work with, Cassidy.” 

44 Well, Cassidy, got any slugs in you? ” affably asked 
Doc, the man Hopalong had wounded on the line a few 
weeks before. Doc brandished a knife and cleaning rod 
and appeared to be anxious to use them on somebody 
else. 

44 No; but what do you do with them tilings? ” Hopa- 
long rejoined, feeling of his bandage. 

44 Take out bullets,” Doc grinned. 

44 Oh, I see ; you cut a hole in th’ back an’ then push 
’em right through,” Hopalong laughed. 44 Reckon I’d 
ruther have ’em go right through -without stopping. 
Who’s that calling? ” 

44 Billy an’ Curtis. Tell ’em to come up,” Buck re- 
plied, walking towards the place where Frenchy’s body 
lay. 

Hopalong went to the edge and replied to the shouts 
and it was not long before they appeared. When Doc 
saw them he grinned pleasantly and drew them aside, 
trying to coax them to let him repair them,. But Billy, 
eying the implements, sidestepped and declined with 
alacrity ; Curtis was the victim. 

44 After him th’ undertaker,” Billy growled, going 
towards the hut. 


[ 373 ] 


CHAPTER XXXVIII 


A DISAGREEABLE TASK 



I WO men, Hall and Frisco, sat with their backs 


against the wall of the hut, weaponless, 
wounded, nervous, one sullen and enraged, the 


other growling querulously to himself about his numer- 
ous wounds. The third prisoner, the Mexican, was pa- 
cing to and fro with restless strides, vicious and defiant, 
his burning eyes quick, searching, calculating. It 
seemed as though he was filled with a tremendous amount 
of energy which would not let him remain quiet. When 
his companions spoke to him he flashed them a quick 
glance but did not answer ; thinking, scheming, plotting, 
he missed not the slightest movement of those about him. 
Wounded as he was he did not appear to know it, so 
intent was he upon his thoughts. 

Hall, saved from the dangers of the last night’s fight, 
loosed his cumulative rage frequently in caustic and 
profane verbal abuse of his captors, his defeat, his com- 
panions, and the guard. Frisco, courageous as any 
under fire, was dejected because of the wait; merely a 
difference of temperament. 

The guard, seated carelessly on a nearby rock, kept 


[ 374 ] 


A Disagreeable Task 

watch over the three and cogitated upon the whole affair, 
his Colt swinging from a hand between his knees. 
Twenty paces to his right was a stack of rifles and 
Sanchez, lengthening his panther stride with barely per- 
ceptible effort, drew nearer to them on each northward 
lap. He typified the class of men who never give up 
hope, and as he gained each yard he glanced furtively 
at the guard and then estimated the number of leaps 
necessary to reach the coveted rifles. His rippling 
muscles were bunching up for the desperate attempt 
when the guard interfered, the sharp clicks of his Colt 
bringing the Mexican to an abrupt stop. Sanchez 
shrugged his shoulders and wheeling, resumed his restless 
walk, being careful to keep it within safe limits. 

Hall, lighting his pipe, blew a cloud of smoke into 
the air and looked at the guard, who was still cogitating. 
“ How did you fools finally figger we was out here? ” 
Hopalong looked up and smiled. “ Oh, we just fig- 
gered you fools would be here, and would stay up here. 
Yore friend Antonio worked too hard.” 

Hall carefully packed his pipe and puffed quickly. 
“ I knowed he’d bungle it, d — d Greaser. It was th’ 
Greasers that busted up th’ game. Sixteen men an’ four^/ 
of ’em Greasers. By G — d, if we was all white men we’d 
’a given you fellers a hot tune to dance to. Greasers 
are all cowards, any — ” 

“ You lie! ” snapped Sanchez, stepping forward. 

“ Stop it ! ” shouted Hopalong, half arising, his Colt 
on the two. “ You keep peaceful — there’s been too 
much fighting now. But if them other Greasers had 
[ 375 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

been like this one here I reckon you wouldn’t ’a lost noth- 
ing- by having ’em.” 

“What happened to Cavalry an’ Antonio?” asked 
Hall. “ Did you get ’em when you came up ? ” 

“ They got down th’ way we came up — Doc trailed , 
th’ Greaser an’ got him at that water hole up north,” - 
Hopalong replied. “ Don’t know nothing about th’ 
other feller. Reckon he got away, but one don’t make 
much difference, anyhow. He’ll never come back to this 
country.” 

“ Say, how much longer will it take yore friends to 
do th’ buryin’ act? ” asked Frisco, irritably. “ I’m 
plumb tired of waiting — these wounds hurt like blazes, 
too.” 

“ Reckon they’re coming now,” was the reply. “ I 
hear — yes, here they are.” 

“ I owe you ten dollars, Hall,” Frisco remarked, trivial 
things now entering his mind. “ Reckon you won’t get 
it, neither.” 

“ Oh, pay me in h — 1 ! ” Hall snapped. 

“ Yes,” Buck was saying, “ he shore was white. He 
knowed he was going an’ he went like th’ man he was — 
saving a friend. ’Tain’t th’ first time Frenchy McAl- 
lister’s saved my life, neither.” 

Frisco glanced around and his face flashed with a look 
of recognition, but he held his tongue; not so with 
Curtis, who stared at him in surprise and stepped for- 
ward. 

“ Good G — d ! It’s Davis ! What ever got you into 
this?” 


[ 376 ] 


A Disagreeable Task 

“ Easy money an’ a gun fight,” Davis, alias Frisco, 
replied. 

“ Tough luck, tough luck,” Curtis muttered slowly. 

44 D — n tough, if you asks me,” Frisco growled. 

44 What happened to th’ others ? ” Curtis asked, re- 
ferring to three men with whom he and Frisco had 
punched and prospected several years before. 

44 Little Dan went out in that same gun fight, Joe 
Baird was got by th’ posse next day, an’ George Wild 
an’ I got into th’ mountains an’ was separated. I got 
free after a sixty -mile chase, but I don’t know how 
George made out. We had stuck up a gold caravan 
an’ killed two men what was with it. They was th’ 
only fellers to pull their guns against us.” 

44 Well, I’m d — d! ” ejaculated Curtis. 44 An’ so that 
crowed went bad ! ” 

44 Say, for th’ Lord’s sake, get things moving,” cried 
Hall, angrily. 44 If we’ve got to die make it quick — 
or else shoot that infernal Greaser — he’s got on my 
nerves with his tramp, tramp, tramp ! Wish I’d ’a gone 
with Shaw ’stead of waiting for my own funeral.” 

Buck surveyed them. 44 Got anything to say?” 

44 Not me — I’ve had mine,” replied Frisco, toying 
with a bandage. Then he started to say something but 
changed his mind. 44 Oh, well, w r hat’s th’ use ! Go 
ahead.” 

44 Don’t drag it out,” growled Hall. 44 Say, you got 
my rope there? ” he demanded suddenly, eying the coils 
slung over Skinny’s shoulder. 44 No, you ain’t. I want 
my own, savvy?” 


[ 377 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

“ Oh, we ain’t got time to hunt for no ropes,” rejoined 
Skinny. “ One’s as good as another, ain’t it? ” 

“ Yes, I reckon so — hustle it through,” Hall replied, 
sullenly. 

“ Go ahead, you fellers,” ordered Hopalong as some 
of his friends went first down the trail after the two 
sent to the camp for the horses. “ Come, on, Sanchez! 
Fall in there!” 

When the procession reached the bottom of the trail 
Buck halted it to wait for the horses and his prisoners 
took one more look around. 

“ Say, Peters, where’s th’ cayuses we had in that corv 
ral? ” asked Hall, surprised. 

“ Oh, we got them out th’ first night — we wasn’t 
taking no chances,” replied the foreman. “ They’re 
somewhere near th’ camp now.” 

As the horse herd was driven up Sanchez made his 
last play. All were intent upon tightening cinches, the 
more intent because of the impending and disagreeable 
task, when he slipped like a shadow through the group 
and throwing himself across a likely looking pinto (he 
knew the horse), headed in a circular track for the not 
too distant chaparral. 

“ Take him, Red!” shouted Buck, who was the first 
to recover. 

Red’s rifle leaped to his shoulder and steadied; in 
three more jumps the speedy pinto would have shielded 
Sanchez, clinging like a burr to the further side ; but the 
rifle spoke once and the fleeing Mexican dropped and 
lay quiet on the sand. 


[ 378 ] 


A Disagreeable Task 

Hopalong rode out to him and glancing at the still 
form, wheeled and returned. “ Got him clean, Red.” 

A group of horsemen rode eastward towards the 
chaparral and as it was about to enclose them one of 
the riders bringing up the rear turned in his saddle and 
looked back at two dangling forms outlined against 
the darker background of the frowning mesa, two where 
he had expected to see three. 

“ Well, th’ rustling is over,” he remarked. “ Say, 
that Greaser wasn’t no coward. I reckoned Greasers 
was all yaller dogs.” 

“ Have you known many of ’em? ” asked Skinny, 
quietly. 

" No,” replied Chick. “ Didn’t ever see none till I 
came down here. Reckon there ain’t many up in Mon- 
tanny. But I heard lots about ’em. He was all grit! 
I alius reckoned they was coyotes, an’ mostly scared.” 

“ If you stay down here for long you’ll meet some 
more that ain’t cowards,” Skinny replied. 66 I have — • 
more’n once. A Greaser is a man, same as me an’ you, 
an’ I’ve known some that would look th’ devil hisself in 
th’ eye an’ call him a liar.” 

“ Gee!” exclaimed Chick, thoughtfully. 


[ 379 ] 


CHAPTER XXXIX 


THIRST 

T HE stars grow dim and a streak of color paints 
the eastern sky, sweeping through the upper 
reaches of the darkness and tingeing the earth’s 
curtain until the dim gray light outlines spectral yuccas 
and twisted, grotesque cacti leaning in the hushed air 
like drunken sentries of some monstrous army. The 
dark carpet which stretched away on all sides begins to 
show its characteristics and soon develops into grease- 
wood brush. As if curtains were drawn aside objects 
which a moment before were lost to sight in the darkness 
emerge out of the light like ghosts, bulky, indistinct, 
grotesque, and array themselves to complete the scene. 

The silence seems to deepen and become strained, as if 
in fear of what is to come; the dark ground is now gray 
and tawny in places and the vegetation is plain to the 
eye. Then out of the east comes a flash and a red, 
coppery sun flares above the horizon, molten, quivering, 
blinding; the cool of the night swiftly departs and a 
caldron-like heat bursts upon the plain. The silence 
seems almost to shrink and become portentous with evil, 
the air is hushed, the plants stand without the move- 
[ 380 ] 


Thirst 

ment of a leaf, and nowhere is seen any living creature. 
The whole is unreal, a panorama, with vegetation of 
wax and a painted, faded blue sky, the only movement 
being the shortening shadows and the rising sun. 

Across the sand is an erratic trail of shoe prints, 
coming from the east. For a dozen yards it runs evenly 
and straight, then a few close prints straggle to and 
fro, zig-zagging hither and yon for a distance, finally 
going on straight again. But the erratic prints grow 
more frequent and become more pronounced as they go 
on, circling and weaving, crossing, recrossing and 
doubling back as their maker staggered hopelessly on 
his way, urged only by the instinct of thirst, to find 
water, if it were only a mouthful. The trail is here 
blurred, for he fell, and the prints of his hands and knees 
and shoe-tips tell how he went on for some distance. 
He gained his feet here and threw away his Colt, and 
later his holster and belt. 

The sun is overhead now and the sand shimmers, the 
heated air quivering and glistening, and the desolate 
void takes on an air of mystery and fear, and death. 
No living thing moves across the heat-cursed sand, but 
! here is a tangled mass of sand and clay and greasewood 
twigs, in the heart of which mice sleep and wait for 
! night, and over there is a hillock sheltering lizards. 
Stay! Under that greasewood bush a foolish gray wolf 
is waiting for night — but he has little to fear, for he 
can cover forty miles between dark and dawn, and his 
instinct is infallible; no wandering trail will mark his 
[ 381 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

passing, but one as straight as the flight of a bullet. 
The shadows shrink close to the stems of the plants and 
the thin air dances with heat. 

Behind that clump of greasewood, back beyond those 
crippled cacti, a man staggers on and on. His hair is, 
matted, his fingers bleeding from digging frantically) 
in the sand for water; his lips, cracked and bleeding andj 
swollen, hide the shrivelled, stiff tongue which clicks^ 
against his teeth at every painful step. His eyelids are 
stiff and the staring, unblinking eyes are set and swollen. 
He clutches at his throat time and time again, — a 
drowning sensation is there. Ha! He drops to his 
knees and digs frantically again, for the sand is moist! 
A few da}^s ago a water hole lay there. He throws off 
his shirt and finally staggers on again. 

His tongue begins to swell and forces itself beyond 
the swollen, festering lips ; the eyelids split and the pro- 
truding eyeballs weep tears of blood. His skin cracks 
and curls up, the clefts going constantly deeper into 
the flesh, and the exuding blood quickly dries and leaves 
a tough coating over the wounds. Wherever the exuda- 
tion touches it stings and bums, and the cracks and 
clefts, irritated more and more each minute, deepen and 
widen and lengthen, smarting and nerve-racking with 
their pain. 

There! A grove of beautiful green trees is before 
him, and in it a fountain splashes with musical babbling. 
He yells and dances and then, casting aside the rest of 
his clothes, staggers towards it. Water, water, at last! 
Water and shade ! It grows indistinct, wavers — and is 
[ 382 ] 


Thirst 

gone ! But it must be there. It was there only a mo- 
ment ago — and on and on he runs, hands tearing at 
his choking, drowning throat. Here is water — close 
at hand — a purling, cold brook, whispering and tink- 
ling over its rocky bed — he jumps into it — it moved! 
It’s over there, ten paces to his right. On and on he 
staggers, the stream just ahead. He falls more fre- 
quently and weavers now. Oh, for just a canteen of 
water, just a swallow, just a drop! The gold of the 
world would not buy it from him — just a drop of 
water ! 

He is dying from within, from the inside out. The 
liquids of his body exude through the clefts and evapo- 
rate. His brain burns and bands of white-hot steel crush 
his throbbing head and his burning lungs. No amount 
of water will save him now — only death, merciful 
death can end his sufferings. 

Water at last! Real water, a noisome pool of stag- 
nant liquid lies at the bottom of a slight depression, the 
dregs of a larger pool concentrated by evaporation. 
Around it are the prints of many kinds of feet. It 
is water, water ! — he plunges forward into it and lies 
motionless, half submerged. A grayback lizard darts 
out of the greasewood near at hand, blinks rapidly and 
darts back again, glad to escape the intolerable heat. 

Cavalry had escaped. 


[ 383 ] 


CHAPTER XL 


CHANGES 

W ITH the passing of the weeks the two 
ranches had settled down to routine duty. 
On the H2 conditions were changed 
greatly for the better and Meeker gloated over his gush- 
ing wells and the dam which gave him a reservoir on 
his north range, the early completion of which he owed 
largely to the experience and willing assistance of Buck 
and the Bar-20 outfit. 

It was getting along towards Fall when a letter came 
to the Bar-20 addressed to John McAllister. Buck 
looked at it long and curiously. 44 Wonder who’s writ- 
ing to Frenchy?” he mused. 44 Well, I’ve got to find 
out,” and he opened the envelope and looked at the 
signature; it made him stare still more and he read the 
letter carefully. George McAllister, through the aid 
of the courts, had gained possession of the old Double 
Y in the name of its owners and was going to put an 
outfit on the ground to evict and hold off those who 
had jumped it. He knew nothing about ranching and 
wanted Frenchy McAllister, who owned half of it, to 
take charge of it and to give him the address of Buck 
[384] 


Changes 

Peters, the other half-owner. He advised that Peters’ 
share be bought because the range was near a railroad 
and was growing more valuable every day. 

Buck’s decision was taken instantly. Much as he dis- 
liked to leave the old outfit here was the chance he had 
been waiting for without knowing it. He would never 
have set foot on the Double Y during Frenchy’s life- 
time because of loyalty to his old friend. Had he at 
any time desired possession of the property he and his 
friends could have taken it and left court actions to the 
other side. But Frenchy was gone, and he still owned 
half of a valuable piece of property and one that he 
could make pay well. He was getting on in years and 
it would be pleasant to have his cherished dream come 
true, to be the over-lord and half-owner of a good cattle 
ranch and to know that when he became too old to work 
with any degree of pleasure he need not worry about 
his remaining years. If he left the Bar-20 one of his 
friends would take his place and he was sure it would be 
Hopalong. The advancement in pay and authority 
would please the man whom he had looked upon as his 
son. And perhaps it would bring to Hopalong that 
which now kept his eyes turned towards the H2. Yes, 
it was time to go to his own and let another man come 
into his own; to move along and give a younger man a 
chance. 

He replied to George McAllister at length, covering 
everything, and took the letter to the bunk house to 
have it mailed. 

25 


[ 385 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

44 Billy,” he said, 44 here’s a letter to go to Cowan’s 
th’ first thing to-morrow. Don’t forget.” 

Buck started the fall work early and pushed it harder 
than usual for he wished to have everything done before 
the new foreman took charge. The beef roundup and 
drives were over with quickly, considering the time and 
labor involved, and when the chill blasts of early Winter 
swept across the range and whined around the ranch 
buildings Buck smiled with the satisfaction which comes 
with work well done. George McAllister, failing to buy 
Buck’s interest, now implored him to go to the Double 
Y at once and take charge, which he had promised to 
do in time to become familiar with conditions on the 
winter-bound northern range before the new herds were 
driven to it. 

As yet he had told his men nothing of his plans for 
fear they would persuade him to stay where he was, but 
he could tell Meeker, and one crisp morning he called 
at the H2 and led its foreman aside. When he had 
finished Meeker grasped his hand, told him how sorry he 
was to lose so good a friend and neighbor, and how glad 
he was at that friend’s good fortune. 

44 1 hope Cassidy is th’ man to take yore place, Pe- 
ters,” he remarked, thoughtfully. 44 He’s a good man, 
th’ best in th’ country, white, square, and nervy. I’ve 
had my eyes on him for some time an’ I’ll back him to 
bust anything he throws his rope on. He can handle 
that ranch easy an’ well.” 

44 Yo’re right,” replied Buck, slowly. 44 He ain’t 
never failed to make good yet. Whoever th’ boys pick 
[ 386 ] 


Changes 

out to be foreman will be foreman, for th’ owners have 
left that question with me. But Meeker, it’s like pull- 
ing teeth for me to go up to Montana without him. I 
can’t take him ’less I take ’em all, an’ I’ve got reasons 
why I can’t do that. An’ I ain’t quite shore he’d go 
with me now — yore ranch holds something that ties 
him tight to this range. He’ll be lonely up in our 
ranch house, an’ it’s plenty big enough for two,” he 
finished, smiling interrogatively at his companion. 

“ Well, I reckon it’ll not be lonely if he wants to 
change it,” laughed Meeker. “ Leastawise, them’s th’ 
symptoms plentiful enough down here. I was dead set 
agin it at first, but now I don’t want nothing else but 
to see my girl fixed for life. An’ when I pass out, all 
I have is hers.” 


[ 387 ] 


CHAPTER XLI 

hopalong’s reward 

S EVEN men loitered about the line house on 
Lookout Peak, wondering why they, the old 
outfit, had been told to await their foreman 
there. Why were the others, all good fellows, excluded? 
What could it mean? Foreboding grew upon them as 
they talked the matter over and when Buck approached 
they waited eagerly for him to speak. 

He dismounted and looked at them with pride and 
affection and a trace of sorrow showed in his voice and 
face when he began to talk. 

66 Boys,” he said, slowly, “ we’ve got things ready for 
snow when it comes. Th’ cattle are strong an 5 fat, 
there’s plenty of grass curing on th’ range, an’ th’ big- 
gest drive ever sent north from this ranch has been taken 
care of. There’s seven of you here, two on th’ north 
range, an’ four more good men coming next week; an’ 
thirteen men can handle this ranch with some time to 
spare. 

“ I’ve been with you for a long time now. Some of 
you I’ve had for over twelve years, an’ no man ever 
had a better outfit. You’ve never turned back on any 
1 . 888 ] 


Hopalong's Reward 

game, an’ you’ve never had no trouble among yoreselves. 
You’ve seen me sending an’ getting letters purty regu- 
lar for some time, an’ you’ve been surprised at bow I’ve 
pushed you to get ready for winter. I’m going to 
tell you all about it now, an’ when I’ve finished I want 
you to vote on something,” and they listened in dumb 
surprise and sorrow while he told them of his decision. 
When he had finished they crowded about him and 
begged him to stay with them, telling him they would 
not allow him to leave. But if he must go, then they, 
too, must go and help him whip a wild and lawless range 
into submission. He would need them badly in Mon- 
tana, and nowhere could he get men who would work 
and fight so hard and cheerfully for him as his old out- 
fit. They would not let him talk and he could not if 
they would, for there was something in his throat which 
choked and pained him. Johnny Nelson and Hopalong 
were tugging at his shoulders and the others stormed 
and pleaded and swore, tears in the eyes of all. He 
wavered and would ) have thrown away all his resolu- 
tions, when he thought of Hopalong and the girl. Push- 
ing them back he told them he could not stay and begged 
them, as they loved him, to consider his future. They 
looked at one another strangely and then realized how 
selfish they were, and said so profanely. 

“ Now yo’re my old outfit,” he cried, striking while 
the iron was hot. “ I’ve told you why I must go, an’ 
why I can’t take all of you with me, an’ why I won’t 
take a few an’ leave th’ rest. Don’t think I don’t want 
you! Why, with you at my back I’d buck that range 
[ 389 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

into shape in no time, an’ chase th’ festive gun-fighters 
off th’ earth. Mebby some day you can come up to 
me, but not now. Now I want th’ new foreman of th’ 
Bar-20 to be one of th’ men who worked so hard an’ 
loyally an’ long for me an’ th’ ranch. I want one of 
you to take my place. Th’ owners have left th’ choice 
to me, an’ say th’ man I appoint will be their choice; 
an’ I ain’t a-going to do it — I can’t do it. One last 
favor, boys; go in that house an’ pick yore foreman. 
Go now, an’ I’ll wait for you here.” 

“We’ll do it right here — Red Connors!” cried 
Hopalong. 

“Hopalong!” yelled Red and Johnny in the same 
voice, and only a breath ahead of the others. “ Hopa- 
long ! Hopalong ! ” was the cry, his own voice lost, 
buried, swept under. He tried to argue, tried to show 
that he was unfit, but he could make no headway, for 
his exploits were shouted to convince him. As fast as 
he tried to speak some one remembered something else he 
had done — they ranged over a period of ten years and 
from Mexico to Cheyenne; from Dodge City and 
Leavenworth to the Rockies. 

Buck laughed and clapped his hands on Hopalong’s 
shoulders. “ I appoint you foreman, an’ you can’t get 
out of it, nohow! Lemme shake hands with th’ new 
foreman of th’ Bar-20 — I’m one of th’ boys now, an’ 
glad to get rid of th’ responsibility for a while. Good 
luck, son ! ” 

“No you ain’t going to get rid of ’em,” laughed 
Hopalong, but serious withal. “ Yo’re th’ foreman of 
[390 ] 


Hopalong’s Reward 

this ranch till you leave us — ain’t he, boys ? 99 he ap- 
pealed. 

Buck put his hands to his ears and yelled for less 
noise. “ All right, I’ll play at breaking you in — 
’though th’ Lord knows I can’t show you nothing you 
don’t know now. My first order under these conditions 
is that you ride south, Hopalong, an’ tell th’ news to 
Meeker, an’ to his girl. An’ tell ’em separate, too. 
An’ don’t forget I want to see you hobbled before I 
leave next month — tell her to make it soon ! ” 

Hopalong reddened and grinned under the rapid-fire 
advice and chaffing of his friends and tried to retort. 

Johnny sprang forward. “Come on, fellers! Put 
him on his cay use an’ start him south! We’ve got to 
have some hand in his courting, anyhow ! ” 

“ Right!” 

“ Good idea ! 99 

“ Look out ! Grab him, Red ! ” 

“Up with him!” 

“ We ought to escort him on his first love trail,” 
yelled Skinny above the uproar. “ Come on ! Saddles , 
boys ! ” 

“ Like h — 1 ! ” cried Hopalong, spurring forward 
his nettlesome mount. “ You’ve got to grow wings to 
catch me an’ Red Eagle! Go, bronc!” and he shot 
forward like an arrow from a bow, cheers and good 
wishes thundering after him. 

Buck moved about restlessly in his sleep and then 
awakened suddenly and lay quiet as a hand touched his 

[ 391 ] 


Hopalong Cassidy 

shoulder. “ What is it? Who are you? ” he demanded, 
ominously. 

“ I reckoned you’d like to know that yo’re going to be 
best man in two weeks, Buck,” said a happy voice. 
“ She said a month, but I told her you was going away 
before then, an’ you might, you know. I shore feel 
joyous ! ” 

The huge hand of the elder man closed over his in a 
grip which made him wince. “ Good boy, an’ good 
luck, Hoppy ! It was due you an’ I knowed you’d win. 
Good luck, an’ happiness, son ! ” 


THE END 


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Dark Hollow, The. By Anna Katharine Green. 

Dark Star, The. By Robert W. Chambers. 

Daughter Pays, The. By Mrs. Baillie Reynolds. 

Day of Days, The. By Louis Joseph Vance. 

Depot Master, The. By Joseph C. Lincoln. 

Destroying Angel, The. By Louis Joseph Vance, 

Devil’s Own, The. By Randall Parrish. 

Devil’-? Paw, The-, By E. Phillips Oppenheirau 
Disturbing Charm, The. By Berta Ruck. 

Door of Dread, The. By Arthur Stringer. 

Dope. By Sax Rohmer. 

Double Traitor, The. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 

Duds. By Henry C. Rowland. 


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Empty Pockets, By Rupert Hughes. 

Erskine Dale Pioneer. By John Fox, Jr. 

Everyman’s Land. By C. N. & A. M. Williamson. 
Extricating Obadiah. By Joseph C. Lincoln. 

Eyes of the Blind, The. By Arthur Somers Roche. 

Eyes of the World, The. By Harold Bell Wright. 

Fairfax and His Pride. By Marie Van Vorst. 

Felix O’Day. By F. Hopkinson Smith. 

54-40 or Fight. By Emerson Hough. 

Fighting Chance, The. By Robert W. Chambers. 

Fighting Fool, The. By Dane Coolidge. 

Fighting Shepherdess, The. By Caroline Lockhart. 
Financier, The. By Theodore Dreiser. 

Find the Woman, By Arthur Somers Roche. 

First Sir Percy, The. By The Baroness Orczy. 

Flame, The. By Olive Wadsley. 

For Better, for Worse. By W. B. Maxwell. 

Forbidden Trail, The. By Honore Willsie. 

Forfeit, The. By Ridgwell Cullum. 

Fortieth Door, The. By Mary Hastings Bradley# 

Four Million, The. By O. Henry. 

From Now On. By Frank L. Packard. 

Fur Bringers, The. By Hulbert Footner. 

Further Adventures of Jimmie Dale. By Frank L. Packard 

Ge? Your Man. By Ethel and James Dorrance. 

Girl in the Mirror, The. By Elizabeth Jordan. 

Girl of O. K. Valley, The. By Robert Watson. 

Girl of the Blue Ridge, A. By Payne Erskine. 

Girl from Keller’s, The. By Harold Bindlosi. 

Girl Philippa, The. By Robert W. Chamber.* 

Girls at.His Billet, The. By Berta Ruck. 

Glory Rides the Range. By Ethel and James ©orrance. 
Gloved Hand, The. By Burton E. Stevenson. 

God’s Country and the Woman. By James Oliver Curwood 
God’s Good Man. By Marie Corelli. 

Going Some. By Rex Beach. 

Gold Girl, The. By James B. Hendryx, 

Golden 5«ora^*n 'The. By Sax Rohmef* 


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Golden Slipper, The. By Anna Katharine Green. 

Golden Woman, The. By Ridgwell Cullum. 

Good References. By E. J. Rath. 

Gorgeous Girl, The. By Nalbro Bartley, 

Gray Angels, The. By Nalbro Bartley. 

Great Impersonation, The. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 
Greater Love Hath No Man. By Frank L. Packard. 

Green Eyes of Bast, The. By Sax Rohmer. 

Greyfriars Bobby. By Eleanor Atkinson. 

Gun Brand, The. By James B. Hendryx. 

Hand of Fu-Manchu, The. By Sax Rohmer. 

Happy House. By Baroness Von Hutten. 

Harbor Road, The. By Sara Ware Bassett. 

Havoc. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 

Heart of the Desert, The, By Honore Willsie. 

Heart of the Hills, The. By John Fox, Jr. 

Heart of the Sunset By Rex Beach. 

Heart of Thunder Mountain, The. By Edfrid A. Bingham. 
Heart of Unaga, The. By Ridgwell Cullum. 

Hidden Children, The. By Robert W. Chambers. 

Hidden Trails. By William Patterson White. 

Highflyers, The. By Clarence B. Kelland. 

Hillman, The. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 

Hills of Refuge, The. By Will N. Harben. 

His Last Bow. By A. Conan Doyle. 

His Official Fiancee. By Berta Ruck. 

Honor of the Big Snows. By James Oliver Curwood. 
Hopalong Cassidy. By Clarence E. Mulford. 

Hound from the North, The. By Ridgwell Cullum. 

House of the Whispering Pines, The. By Anna Katharine 
Green. 

Hugh Wynne, Free Quaker. By S. Weir Mitchell, M.D. 
Humoresque. By Fannie Hurst. 

I Conquered. By Harold Titus. 

Illustrious Prince, The. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 

In Another Girl’s Shoes. By Berta Ruck. 

Indifference of Juliet, The. By Grace S. Richmond. 

Inez. (111. Ed.) By Augusta J. Evans. 


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Infelice. By Augusta Evans Wilson. 

Initials Only. By Anna Katharine Green. 

Inner Law, The. By Will N. Harben. 

Innocent. By Marie Corelli. 

In Red and Gold. By Samuel Merwin. 

Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu, The. By Sax Rohmer, 

In the Brooding Wild. By Ridgwell Cullum. 

Intriguers, The. By William Le Queux. 

Iron Furrow, The. By George C. Shedd. 

Iron Trail, The. By Rex Beach. 

Iron Woman, The. By Margaret D^land. 

Ishmael. (111.) By Mrs. Southworth. 

Island of Surprise. By Cyrus Townsend Brady. 

I Spy. By Natalie Sumner Linclon. 

It Pays to Smile. By Nina Wilcox Putnam. 

I’ve Married Marjorie. By Margaret Widdemer. 

Jean of the Lazy A. By B. M. Bower. 

Jeanne of the Marshes. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 
Jennie Gerhatdt. By Theodore Dreiser. 

Johnny Nelson. By Clarence E. Mulford. 

Judgment House, The. By Gilbert Parker. 

Keeper of the Door, The. By Ethel M. Dell. 

Keith of the Border. By Randall Parrish. 

Kent Knowles: Quahaug. By Joseph C. Lincoln. 
Kingdom of the Blind, The. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 
King Spruce. By Plolman Day. 

Knave of Diamonds, The. By Ethel M. Dell. 

La Chance Mine Mystery, The. Bv S. Carleton. 

Lady Doc, The. By Caroline Lockhart. 

Land-Girl's Love Story. A. By Berta Ruck. 

Land of Strong Men, The. By A. M. Chisholm. 

Last Straw, The. By Harold Titus. 

Last Trail, The. By Zane Grey. 

Laughing Bill Hvde. By Rex Beach. 

Laughing Girl, The. By Robert W. Chambers, 

Law Breakers, The. By Ridgwell Cullum. 

Law of the Gun, The. By Ridgwell 'Cullum. 


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League of the Scarlet Pimpernel. By Baroness Orczy. 
Lifted Veil, The. By Basil King. 

Lighted Way, The. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 

Lin McLean. By Owen Wister. 

Little Moment of Happiness, The. By Clarence Budington 
Kelland. 

Lion’s Mouse, The. By C. N. & A. M. Williamson. 

Lonesome Land. By B. M. Bower. 

Lone Wolf, The. By Louis Joseph Vance. 

Lonely Stronghold, The. By Mrs. Baillie Reynolds. 

Long Live the King. By Mary Roberts Rinehart. 

Lost Ambassador. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 

Lost Prince, The. By Frances Hodgson Burnett. 

Lydia of the Pines. By Honore Willsie. 

Lynch Lawyers. By William Patterson White. 

Macaria. (111. Ed.) By Augusta J. Evans. 

Maid of the Forest, The. By Randall Parrish. 

Maid of Mirabelle, The. By Eliot H. Robinson. 

Maid of the Whispering Hills, The. By Vingie E. Roe. 
Major, The. By Ralph Connor. 

Maker of History, A. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 
Malefactor, The. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 

Man from Bar 20, The. By Clarence E. Mulford. 

Man from Bitter Roots, The. By Caroline Lockhart. 

Man from Tall Timber, The. By Thomas K. Holmes. 

Man in the Jury Box, The. By Robert Orr Chipperfield. 
Man-Killers, The. By Dane Coolidge. 

Man Proposes. By Eliot H. Robinson, author of “Smiles.” 
Man Trail, The. By Henry Oyen. 

Man Who Couldn’t Sleep, The. By Arthur Stringer. 
Marqueray’s Duel. By Anthony Pryde. 

Mary ’Gusta. By Joseph C. Lincoln. 

Mary Wollaston. By Henry Kitchell Webster. 

Mason of Bar X Ranch. By E. Bennett. 

Master Christian, The. By Marie Corelli. 

Master Mummer, The. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 

Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. By A. Conan Doyle. 

Men Who Wrought, The. By Ridgwell Cullum. 

Midnight of the Ranges. By George Gilbert. 


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Mischief Maker, The. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 
Missioner, The. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 

Miss Million’s Maid. By Berta Ruck. 

Money Master, The. By Gilbert Parker. 

Money Moon, The. By Jeffery Farnol. 

Moonlit Way, The. By Robert W. Chambers. 

More Tish. By Mary Roberts Rinehart. 

Mountain Girl, The. By Payne Erskine. 

Mr. Bingle. By George Barr McCutcheon. 

Mr. Grex of Monte Carlo. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 

Mr. Pratt By Joseph C. Lincoln. 

Mr. Pratt’s Patients. By Joseph C. Lincoln. 

Mr. Wu. By Louise Jordan Miln. 

Mrs. Balfame. By Gertrude Atherton. 

Mrs. Red Pepper. By Grace S. Richmond. 

My Lady of the North. By Randall Parrish. 

My Lady of the South. By Randall Parrish. 

Mystery of the Hasty Arrow, The. By Anna K. Green. 
Mystery of the Silver Dagger, The. By Randall Parrish, 
Mystery of the 13th Floor, The. By Lee Thayer. 

Nameless Man, The. By Natalie Sumner Lincoln. 
Ne’er-Do-Well, The. By Rex Beach. 

Net, The. By Rex Beach. 

New Clarion. By Will N. Harben. 

Night Horseman, The. By Max Brand. 

Night Operator, The. By Frank L. Packard. 

Night Riders, The. By Ridgwell Cullum. 

North of the Law. By Samuel Alexander White. 

One Way Trail, The. By Ridgwell Cullum. 

Outlaw, The. By Jackson Gregory. 

Owner of the Lazy D. By William Patterson White* 

Painted Meadows. By Sophie Kerr. 

Palmetto. By Stella G. S. Perry. 

Paradise Bend. By William Patterson White. 

Pardners. By Rex Beach. 

Parrot & Co. By Harold MacGrath. 

Partners of the Night. By Leroy Scott. 


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Partners of the Tide. By Joseph C. Lincoln. 

Passionate Pilgrim, The. By Samuel Merwin. 

Patricia Brent, Spinster. Anonymous. 

Patrol of the Sun Dance Trail, The. By Ralph Connor. 

Paul Anthony, Christian. By Hiram W. Hayes. 

Pawns Count, The. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 

Peacemakers, The. By Hiram W. Hayes. 

Peddler, The. By Henry C. Rowland. 

People’s Man, A. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 

Peter Ruff and the Double Four. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 
Poor Man’s Rock. By Bertrand Sinclair. 

Poor Wise Man, A. By Mary Roberts Rinehart. 

Portygee, The. By Joseph C. Lincoln. 

Possession. By Olive Wadsley. 

Postmaster, The. By Joseph C. Lincoln. 

Prairie Flowers. By James B. Hendryx. 

Prairie Mother, The. By Arthur Stringer. 

Prairie Wife, The. By Arthur Stringer. 

Pretender, The. By Robert W. Service. 

Price of the Prairie, The. By Margaret Hill McCarter. 
Prince of Sinners, A. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. 

Promise, The. By J. B. Hendryx. 

Quest of the Sacred Slipper, The. By Sax Rohmer. 

Rainbow’s End, The. By Rex Beach. 

Rainbow Valley. By L. M. Montgomery. 

Ranch at the Wolverine, The. By B. M. Bower. 

Ranching for Sylvia. By Harold Bindloss. 

Ransom. By Arthur Somers Roche. 

Real Life. By Henry Kitchell Webster. 

Reclaimers, The. By Margaret Hill McCarter. 

Re-Creation of Brian Kent, The. By Harold Bell Wright 
Red and Black. By Grace S. Richmond. 

Red Mist, The. By Randall Parrish. 

Red Pepper Burns. By Grace S. Richmond. 

Red Pepper’s Patients. By Grace S. Richmond. 

Red Sea£ The. By Natalie Sumner Lincoln. 

Rejuvenation of Aunt Mary, The. By Anne Warner. 
Restless Sex, The. By Robert W. Chambers. 


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Return of Dr. Fu-Manchu, The. By Sax Rohmer. 

Return of Tarzan, The. By Edgar Rice Burroughs. 

Riddle of the Frozen Flame, The. By M. E. and T. W. 
Hanshew. 

Riddle of Night, The. By Thomas W. Hanshew. 

Riddle of the Purple Emperor, The. By T. W. and M. E. 

Hanshew. 

Rider of the King Log, The. By Holman Day. 

Rim of the Desert, The. By Ada Woodruff Anderson. 

Rise of Roscoe Paine, The. By Joseph C. Lincoln. 

Rising Tide, The. By Margaret Deland. 

Rocks of Valpre, The. By Ethel M. Dell. 

Room Number 3. By Anna Katharine Green. 

Rose in the Ring, The. By George Barr McCutcheon. 

Round the Comer in Gay Street. By Grace S. Richmond. 

St. Elmo. (111. Ed.) By Augusta J. Evans. 

Second Choice. By Will N. Harben. 

Second Latchkey, The. By C. N. & A. M. Williamson. 
Second Violin, The. By Grace S. Richmond. 

Secret of the Reef, The. Harold Bindloss. 

Secret of Sarek, The. By Maurice Leblanc. 

See-Saw, The. By Sophie Kerr. 

Self-Raised. (111.) By Mrs. Southworth. 

Shavings. By Joseph C. Lincoln. 

Sheik, The. By E. M. Hull. 

Shepherd of the Hills, The. By Harold Bell Wright. 

Sheriff of Dyke Hole, The. By Ridgwell Cullum. 

Sheriff of Silver Bow, The. By Berton Braley. 

Sherry. By George Barr McCutcheon. 

Side of the Angels, The. By Basil King. 

Sight Unseen and The Confession. By Mary Robert Rinehart 
Silver Horde, The. By Rex Beach. 

Sin That Was His, The. By Frank L. Packard. 

Sixty-first Second, The. By Owen Johnson. 

Slayer of Souls, The. By Robert W. Chambers 
Son of His Father, The. By Ridgwell Cullum. 

Son of Tarzan, The. By Edgar Rice Burroughs. 

Speckled Bird, A. By Augusta Evans Wilson. 

Spirit of the Border, The. (New Edition.) By Zane Grey. 


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